ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey's state-run news agency says Turkish tanks have entered Syria's Cobanbey district northeast of Aleppo in a "new phase" of the Euphrates Shield operation.

Turkish tanks crossed into Syria Saturday to support Syrian rebels against the Islamic State group, according to the Anadolu news agency.

Turkey launched a cross-border operation on Aug. 24 along with Free Syrian Army units to clear the village of Jarablus of IS militants. Since then, rebels have been seizing villages along the Turkish border near Jarablus and the western Cobanbey district from IS, reports Anadolu.

The Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army units have also been fighting U.S.-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units or the YPG. Anadolu says "with this new phase of the (Euphrates Shield) operation, the Azaz-Jarablus line is expected to be cleared of terror elements."