Chaotic scenes in northern Syria while people flee for their lives amid Turkey's military offensive

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(CNN) - A photo taken from the Turkish province of Sanliurfa shows smoke coming out over the Syrian city of Ras al-Ayn.

There is total stagnation in northern Syria, near the border with Turkey, as people try to flee to a safe place with little idea of ​​what the Turkish army has in store for them.

For civilians living in this Kurdish fortress, it is their worst nightmare.

Turkey's army began its operation in northern Syria, the president of Turkey announced, as part of an offensive to remove US-backed Kurdish forces from its border.

The decision comes days after the president of the United States, Donald Trump, caused a storm of criticism, even within his own party, announcing that US troops would be withdrawn from the border area.

There was hope until the last minute that perhaps the United States would support its Kurdish allies and avoid this incursion.

But now there is a widespread fear of what Turkey, which considers the YPG-controlled area as an existential threat, will do next.

Until now, Turkish airstrikes have largely hit Kurdish military targets, but with mortars there is always a potential for civilian casualties.

Now chaotic scenes unfold, with roads stalled by fleeing families, motorcycles with five and six people, mattresses tied to cars. Smoke can be seen coming out of at least one area, which seems to be on fire.

People do not know where they will go, where they will sleep tonight or what they can expect from this Turkish operation.

Turkey