The State Department calling reports that a Kurdish politician and Kurdish fighters were killed during Turkey’s offensive in northern Syria “extremely troubling.”

A department spokesman told The Hill that officials have seen reports regarding the killings of Secretary General of the Future Syria Party Hervin Khalaf and Kurdish fighters. 

{mosads}“We find these reports to be extremely troubling, reflecting the overall destabilization of northeast Syria since the commencement of hostilities on Tuesday,” the spokesman said in an email. 

“We condemn in the strongest of terms any mistreatment and extrajudicial execution of civilians or prisoners, and are looking further into these circumstances,” the spokesman added.

Reuters first reported the State Department’s reaction.

Khalaf, her driver and an aide were killed while returning from a meeting in Hasaka, a coordinator for the Future Syria Party in Europe told the news service.  

The National Army, which supports Turkey, said on Saturday that its forces could have not made it to the area where Khalaf was killed, according to Reuters. 

Turkey launched its offensive against the Kurds after President Trump decided to remove U.S. troops from northern Syria. Turkey says they are associated with a domestic terrorist group.

The president has received backlash from lawmakers who say the U.S. is betraying the Kurds, who helped the U.S. fight ISIS, by leaving the region. 

–This report was updated at 1:30 p.m.