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Turkish army says 23 IS militants killed in northern Syria

Xinhua, January 20, 2017 Adjust font size:

23 Islamic State (IS) terrorists were killed and 224 targets belonging to IS were hit by Turkish army in Al-Bab of northern Syria in last 24 hours,Turkish General Staff stated on Friday.

According to the Turkish army, 205 positions belonging to the terrorists have been shelled, destroying defense positions, shelters and command facilities, as well as weapons and vehicles.

A total of 19 airstrikes have been carried out in Al-Bab, Bzagah, south Kabbasin and Suflaniyah, destroying at least 13 building, 1 vehicle belonging to the terrorist organization.

A total of 3014 improvised explosive devices and 43 mines have been destroyed since the beginning of the operation, the military added.

Meanwhile, Special Task Forces of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) continued their operation in the region and seized control of Suflaniyah's residential areas in northern Syria with airstrikes and shelling.

Coalition air forces also carried out four coordinated airstrikes on IS targets in Tadif and Bzagah, which were identified by Turkish military forces supporting FSA fighters.

The Turkish Armed Forces launched the Euphrates Shield Operation last August against both IS and the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the military wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD).

Turkey regards the YPG and the PYD as terrorist organizations due to their links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Endit