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Kurdish-led rebels close in on IS-held city near Turkey

Xinhua, November 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kurdish-led rebels were closing in on a key city held by the Islamic State (IS) group near Turkey's border, a monitor group reported on Thursday.

The Jaish al-Thuwar group, Al-Baab Military Council and other rebel groups fighting under the flag of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were 10 kilometers from the city of al-Baab, the last IS stronghold in the countryside of the northern city of Aleppo, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Over the past 48 hours, the U.S.-backed SDF has advanced in the IS-held towns and villages in the countryside of al-Baab, a strategic city that would link all Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria together.

Meanwhile, Turkish-led Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels were also approaching al-Baab from another front, reported to be only one kilometer from the city.

Ankara has repeatedly said it won't allow the Kurds to link their areas in northern Syria, vowing to shatter their dream for autonomy.

Meanwhile, the Syrian government deems the Turkish intervention in northern Syria as military occupation of the country's land, as al-Baab is also important for the Syrian army.

In case the Ankara-backed FSA takes control of al-Baab, it will open a new battlefront for the Syrian army in northern Aleppo, as it is busy trying to secure the rebel-held areas of eastern Aleppo. Endit