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Turkey-backed Syrian rebels strip IS of religious stronghold

Xinhua, October 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Turkey-backed Syrian rebels have taken full control over a northern town of religious significance for the Islamic State (IS) group, a monitor group reported on Sunday.

Backed by Turkish warplanes and tanks, the rebel fighters captured the town of Dabeq in fewer than 24 hours since the attack began, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog said the rebels have also controlled several areas around Dabeq, a town in the northern countryside of Aleppo province.

During the battle, the IS had brought in 1,200 fighters to defend the town due to its religious importance.

The Ankara-backed rebels recently launched a wide-scale offensive against the IS positions in northern Syria, aiming to capture the areas in the hands of the group earlier than the Kurdish troops.

Observers believe that Turkey does not want to see the Kurds expand influence near its borders as a result of the long-standing enmity between them. Endit