Turkey launched a military offensive in northeastern Syria on October 9, just days after the Trump administration announced that it was pulling US troops back from the area.

The offensive was aimed at pushing Kurdish forces away from Turkey's border with Syria.

The Kurds have long been considered one of Washington's most reliable partners in Syria and in the broader campaign against the ISIS terrorist group. The Kurdish People's Protection Units, which lead the Syrian Democratic Forces, are considered by Turkey to be a terrorist organization affiliated with the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party.

The Syrian Democratic Forces suspended their counter-ISIS operations to deal with the Turkish offensive. They also struck a deal with the Syrian government, marking a major shift in their country's eight-year war.

US Vice President Mike Pence announced October 17 that he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had agreed to a ceasefire halting Turkey's incursion into northern Syria. The Turkish government insisted the agreement was not a ceasefire, but only a "pause" on operations in the region.

Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a deal October 22 under which Russian military police and Syrian border guards entered the Syrian side of the Syrian-Turkish border.

On October 25, Defense Secretary Mark Esper the United States would have forces in eastern Syria to prevent ISIS from taking control of oil facilities there.

Kurdish demonstrators hurl rocks at a Turkish military vehicle on Friday, November 8, during a joint Turkish-Russian patrol near the town of Al-Muabbadah in the northeastern part of Hassakah on the Syrian border with Turkey.
Kurdish demonstrators hurl rocks at a Turkish military vehicle on Friday, November 8, during a joint Turkish-Russian patrol near the town of Al-Muabbadah in the northeastern part of Hassakah on the Syrian border with Turkey.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
A man stands next to a burning motorcycle at the site of <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2019%2F11%2F02%2Fmiddleeast%2Ftal-abyad-syria-car-bomb-explosion%2Findex.html" target="_blank">a deadly car bomb explosion</a> in Tal Abyad, Syria, on Saturday, November 2. Turkey's defense ministry blamed the Kurdish People's Protection Units and the Kurdistan Workers Party, while a group aligned with the Kurds blamed Turkey.
A man stands next to a burning motorcycle at the site of a deadly car bomb explosion in Tal Abyad, Syria, on Saturday, November 2. Turkey's defense ministry blamed the Kurdish People's Protection Units and the Kurdistan Workers Party, while a group aligned with the Kurds blamed Turkey.
Bakr Alkasem/AFP/Getty Images
A man inspects the site of the car bomb explosion in Tal Abyad.
A man inspects the site of the car bomb explosion in Tal Abyad.
Bakr Alkasem/AFP/Getty Images
A Turkish and Russian patrol is seen near the town of Darbasiyah, Syria, on Friday, November 1. Turkey and Russia launched patrols in northeastern Syria under a deal that halted the Turkish offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters.
A Turkish and Russian patrol is seen near the town of Darbasiyah, Syria, on Friday, November 1. Turkey and Russia launched patrols in northeastern Syria under a deal that halted the Turkish offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters.
Baderkhan Ahmad/AP
Turkish soldiers east of Ras al-Ain watch as a tank fires on positions held by the Syrian Democratic Forces on Monday, October 28.
Turkish soldiers east of Ras al-Ain watch as a tank fires on positions held by the Syrian Democratic Forces on Monday, October 28.
Nazeer Al-Khatib/AFP via Getty Images
Syrian Kurds wave flags in Qamishli as they take part in a demonstration in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces on October 28.
Syrian Kurds wave flags in Qamishli as they take part in a demonstration in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces on October 28.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
Kurdish forces withdraw from an area near the Turkish border with Syria on Sunday, October 27.
Kurdish forces withdraw from an area near the Turkish border with Syria on Sunday, October 27.
Baderkhan Ahmad/AP
Displaced Syrian children sit on classroom tables at a school turned into a shelter on Thursday, October 24.
Displaced Syrian children sit on classroom tables at a school turned into a shelter on Thursday, October 24.
Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images
Russian military police began patrols on part of the Syrian border on Wednesday, October 23.
Russian military police began patrols on part of the Syrian border on Wednesday, October 23.
STR/AP
People angry over the US withdrawal hurl potatoes at American military vehicles as they pass through Qamishli on Monday, October 21. The image was taken from video provided by the Kurdish Hawar News Agency.
People angry over the US withdrawal hurl potatoes at American military vehicles as they pass through Qamishli on Monday, October 21. The image was taken from video provided by the Kurdish Hawar News Agency.
ANHA/AP
US military vehicles drive after pulling out of their base in the northern Syrian town of Tal Tamr on Sunday, October 20.
US military vehicles drive after pulling out of their base in the northern Syrian town of Tal Tamr on Sunday, October 20.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
A US service member looks out of an armored vehicle as troops pull out of their base in Tal Tamr.
A US service member looks out of an armored vehicle as troops pull out of their base in Tal Tamr.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke billows from a fire in Ras al-Ain, Syria, on Friday, October 18. US Vice President Mike Pence announced a day earlier that he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had agreed to a ceasefire halting Turkey's incursion into northern Syria. The Turkish government insisted that <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2019%2F10%2F17%2Fpolitics%2Fsyria-ceasefire-pence%2Findex.html" target="_blank">the agreement </a>was not a ceasefire, but only a "pause" on operations in the region.
Smoke billows from a fire in Ras al-Ain, Syria, on Friday, October 18. US Vice President Mike Pence announced a day earlier that he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had agreed to a ceasefire halting Turkey's incursion into northern Syria. The Turkish government insisted that the agreement was not a ceasefire, but only a "pause" on operations in the region.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
A woman reacts as a man's dead body arrives at a hospital in Ras al-Ain on October 18.
A woman reacts as a man's dead body arrives at a hospital in Ras al-Ain on October 18.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
Displaced Syrians carry their belongings at a refugee camp north of Mosul, Iraq, on Thursday, October 17.
Displaced Syrians carry their belongings at a refugee camp north of Mosul, Iraq, on Thursday, October 17.
Hussein Malla/AP
Local residents cheer as Turkish army tanks are transported on the outskirts of Akcakale, Turkey, on October 17.
Local residents cheer as Turkish army tanks are transported on the outskirts of Akcakale, Turkey, on October 17.
Emrah Gurel/AP
A local resident of Ras al-Ain kisses the forehead of a member of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army on October 17.
A local resident of Ras al-Ain kisses the forehead of a member of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army on October 17.
Huseyin Nasir/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Displaced people ride a motorcycle on the outskirts of Tal Tamr, Syria, on Wednesday, October 16.
Displaced people ride a motorcycle on the outskirts of Tal Tamr, Syria, on Wednesday, October 16.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
People in Qamishli, Syria, attend a funeral Monday, October 14, for five fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces.
People in Qamishli, Syria, attend a funeral Monday, October 14, for five fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
A person inspects damage to a building in Akcakale, Turkey, on Sunday, October 13. The building was damaged by a mortar fired from inside Syria.
A person inspects damage to a building in Akcakale, Turkey, on Sunday, October 13. The building was damaged by a mortar fired from inside Syria.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
Some fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces are buried in Qamishli on Saturday, October 12.
Some fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces are buried in Qamishli on Saturday, October 12.
Baderkhan Ahmad/AP
Smoke billows from Tal Abyad, Syria, on Friday, October 11.
Smoke billows from Tal Abyad, Syria, on Friday, October 11.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
Pro-Turkish Syrian fighters drive an armored personnel carrier across the border into Syria on October 11.
Pro-Turkish Syrian fighters drive an armored personnel carrier across the border into Syria on October 11.
Nazeer Al-Khatib/AFP via Getty Images
People drive past shops in Akcakale, Turkey, that were closed by owners who feared incoming shelling from Syria.
People drive past shops in Akcakale, Turkey, that were closed by owners who feared incoming shelling from Syria.
Emrah Gurel/AP
Turkish-backed fighters of the Free Syrian Army head toward Tal Abyad, Syria, on Thursday, October 10.
Turkish-backed fighters of the Free Syrian Army head toward Tal Abyad, Syria, on Thursday, October 10.
AP
Refugees arrive in Tal Tamr, Syria, after fleeing the fighting on October 10.
Refugees arrive in Tal Tamr, Syria, after fleeing the fighting on October 10.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
A woman holds a baby after arriving in Tal Tamr.
A woman holds a baby after arriving in Tal Tamr.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke rises from Tal Abyad, Syria, on October 10.
Smoke rises from Tal Abyad, Syria, on October 10.
Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images
People in Akcakale, Turkey, watch smoke billow from inside Syria.
People in Akcakale, Turkey, watch smoke billow from inside Syria.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
Turkish soldiers move into Tal Abyad.
Turkish soldiers move into Tal Abyad.
Mahmut Serdar Alakus/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Smoke rises from the Syrian city of Ras al-Ain on Wednesday, October 9.
Smoke rises from the Syrian city of Ras al-Ain on Wednesday, October 9.
Kerem Kocalar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Civilians flee during the bombardment on October 9. Roads were gridlocked with hundreds of fleeing families.
Civilians flee during the bombardment on October 9. Roads were gridlocked with hundreds of fleeing families.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
Turkish troops prepare for the operation on October 9.
Turkish troops prepare for the operation on October 9.
Burak Kara/Getty Images
Refugees leave their homes near the Turkey-Syria border.
Refugees leave their homes near the Turkey-Syria border.
Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
Turkish military vehicles drive through Akcakale, Turkey, near the border.
Turkish military vehicles drive through Akcakale, Turkey, near the border.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
Turkey launched airstrikes and artillery fire across the border on October 9.
Turkey launched airstrikes and artillery fire across the border on October 9.
Kerem Kocalar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Residents of Akcakale cheer as a convoy of Turkish military vehicles is driven to the Syrian border just after the offensive began.
Residents of Akcakale cheer as a convoy of Turkish military vehicles is driven to the Syrian border just after the offensive began.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
"Our aim is to destroy the terror corridor which is trying to be established on our southern border and to bring peace and peace to the region," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted as he announced the start of the operation.
"Our aim is to destroy the terror corridor which is trying to be established on our southern border and to bring peace and peace to the region," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted as he announced the start of the operation.
Kerem Kocalar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Smoke is seen in Tal Abyad, Syria, on October 9.
Smoke is seen in Tal Abyad, Syria, on October 9.
Esber Ayaydin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Kurdish people in Ras al-Ain, Syria, wave their group's flags as they protest against a military operation on Monday, October 7.
Kurdish people in Ras al-Ain, Syria, wave their group's flags as they protest against a military operation on Monday, October 7.
STR/AP