Turkey on Tuesday ordered residents to evacuate a Turkish border town that lies opposite the Syrian town of Jarabulus controlled by Islamic State (IS) jihadists, television reported.

Police warned residents through loudspeakers to evacuate "for safety reasons" the town of Karkamis which was hit by a series of mortars fired from IS-held areas. Reports have also suggested Ankara-backed rebels are preparing a major operation to seize Jarabulus from the jihadists.