Turkish Red Crescent worker killed in northern Syria

An aid worker from Turkey's Red Crescent has been killed and two others have been wounded after masked assailants attacked the group's vehicle near the northern Syrian town of Al Bab.

The attack took place on Monday between Al Bab and the Turkish border town of Cobanbey, The aid group said in a statement. The vehicle attacked had a Kizilay, or Red Crescent, logo on its roof.

Red Crescent workers who were. wounded are not currently at risk and were taken to Turkey after an initial medical assessment.

"I strongly condemn the despicable attack on the Red Crescent personnel, who should be protected by international law and who have immunity according to international humanitarian law because their vehicle bears the Red Crescent emblem," said Kerem Kinik, who was in Hatay where the injured charity workers were transferred to after the attack.

"I believe that with the efforts of our country, the attackers will be caught as soon as possible. My condolences to the entire Red Crescent community," Kinik added.

This attack was committed not only against the Red Crescent but all of humanity, Kinik stressed.

"Our friends in Brussels, Geneva and the United Nations are following the event to activate international mechanisms on this issue," he said, adding that they would also follow the violations in legal and international channels.

"We'll continue these efforts [relief work in Syria]. Our efforts will continue both for the protection of civilians in that region and to deliver our aid to these people as much as we can," he added.

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Turkish officials slammed attack

"Every measure from the ground and air is being taken to capture the terrorists, who stooped to attacking an aid group that is untouchable under international law," Turkey's Defence Ministry said. 

Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay condemned the attack.

"I condemn the flagrant attack on our Red Crescent team's vehicle, which was bringing aid to people in need in Syria," Oktay said on Twitter.

Oktay also conveyed his condolences to the family of the victim.

Turkey has liberated swathes of northern Syria in four cross-border operations since 2016 to drive back Daesh and the PKK/YPG.

Turkey, the US and EU have designated the PKK as a terror outfit.

The YPG is PKK's Syria branch and dominates the US-backed SDF.

In 2017, Syrian opposition backed by Turkey liberated Al Bab as part of Ankara's "Operation Euphrates Shield."

The Turkish Red Crescent is the largest humanitarian organisation in Turkey, with an international network to help nations in need.

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