Turkish army says 15 IS militants killed in northern Syria

At least 15 Islamic State (IS) terrorists were killed in northern Syria in the last 24 hours, the Turkish General Staff said on Thursday.

The army shelled 258 targets including shelters, possible defense positions and tunnel entrances used by IS terrorists, it said in a statement.

Turkish warplanes also destroyed 20 buildings, including 15 hideouts, two headquarters, two arms depots, and an armed vehicle, the statement said.

On Wednesday, 10 IS suicide bombers were killed in clashes with Free Syrian Army (FSA) members during an attack in northern Syria, the military said in another statement.

A bomb-laden vehicle tried to attack a temporary base belonging to the Turkish forces south of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, it said.

Eight IS militants wearing suicide vests came to aid the main attack of the bomb-laden vehicle and were killed in the exchange of fire, it added.

The military action is part of the Turkish-led Euphrates Shield Operation, which began in late August 2016 with the aim to clear the Turkish border of terrorist organizations.

FSA forces, backed by Turkish artillery and air strikes, have been trying to capture al-Bab from IS since December last year.

After a rapid advance of retaking several towns close to the border, the Euphrates Shield operation has faced the biggest challenge so far with dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in the space of a few weeks. Endit