USA, Oct. 11 -- European powers on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have called on Turkey to "cease" its offensive against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, as the United States' envoy to the world body warned Ankara of consequences if it does not "play by the rules".

The statement on Thursday came after an emergency meeting of the 15-strong body on Syria, as fighting in towns along the Turkish-Syrian border intensified and forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

"We are deeply concerned by the Turkish military operation," the UNSC's five European members -Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and Poland - said in a joint statement.

Moments earlier, Kelly Craft, Washington's ambassador to the UN, had warned Ankara it ...