Syrian state media calls Turkish raid a ‘blatant aggression’

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria’s state news agency says the Turkish raid overnight into Syria to evacuate troops guarding an Ottoman tomb is a “blatant aggression.” SANA released a one-line report Sunday on the overnight operation.

Hundreds of Turkish troops backed by tanks crossed into Syria late Saturday to evacuate soldiers guarding the tomb of Suleyman Shah, the grandfather of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.

There had been rumors for months that the soldiers stationed at the tomb had been besieged by militants from the Islamic State group.

The Syrian government does not have a presence in the area where the Turkish operation took place.