The UK has joined France and Germany in suspending exports of arms to Turkey, following Ankara's military offensive into northeastern Syria.

UK International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said no new export licenses would be issued for weapons which could be used in Syria pending a review.

EU states yesterday reiterated their opposition to the Turkish military operation against US-backed Kurdish YPG forces, amid growing international pressure on Turkey to call off the incursion. However, they stopped short of a formal EU-wide arms embargo.

The U.S. has introduced limited economic sanctions against Ankara as Donald Trump changes tack after initially appearing to stand US troops aside in order to allow Turkish forces to cross the border. Turkey, which considers the YPG as terrorists, says it wants to construct a safe-zone to allow refugees to return to Syrian soil.