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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday said it was possible to resolve the crisis in the Afrin region of Syrian Kurdistan through direct dialogue between Damascus and Ankara amid news of the arrival of pro-Syrian government forces to the border.

The Russian official urged both Turkey and Syria to resolve the conflict, which began a month ago to date, "through direct dialogue," the Interfax news agency quoted Lavrov.

According to the Reuters report a convoy of some 40-50 vehicles carrying pro-government forces tried to enter Syria's Afrin on Tuesday, but retreated after artillery fire by Turkish forces,

Later, President Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman warned that if pro-Syrian government forces entering the northwest Afrin region to support a Kurdish militia there will face "serious consequences" and they will be regarded as legitimate targets.

The ongoing bombardment and shelling have devastated numerous villages and towns in the Kurdish-held enclave on the Turkish border, with civilians bearing the brunt of the Turkish assault. The violence has left hundreds of civilians dead or injured, and thousands more displaced.