Smoke rises after an air strike on the Syrian town of Ain al-Arab  (Photo: AFP/VNA)

A UN spokesperson called on all parties in Syria to abide by their obligation to protect civilians amid the escalating violence in northern Syria and said the UN is committed to working with all stakeholders for a safe and prosperous Syria. 

US spokesperson Ned Price said he deplores the civilian casualties in Al-Bab, Hasakah, and elsewhere, and said the US remains committed to ensuring the defeat of ISIS and finding a political resolution to the Syrian conflict.

The recent bloodshed came against a backdrop of increased tensions pitting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against Turkish troops and their Syrian proxies.