Turkish forces kill 11 in shelling of IS-held al-Bab

At least 11 civilians were killed by shelling from Turkish forces against Syria's northern city of al-Bab, reported the state news agency SANA on Tuesday.

Women and children were among the victims of the Turkish shelling, which also caused property losses, according to SANA.

For months, Turkish forces have been engaged in intense battles with the Islamic State (IS) group militants, with assistance from the Ankara-backed rebels fighting to reclaim al-Bab, the last largest city still under IS control near the Turkish borders.

According to opposition activists, Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels managed to take parts of the western side of the city.

Activists said on Tuesday that the rebels' Free Syrian Army captured new areas inside al-Bab.

Noteworthy, the Syrian army advanced toward the city from the south, while Turkish-backed forces closed in on IS from the city's northern and western regions.

The Syrian army is fighting to capture al-Bab's southern rim, a step which would additionally shield the northern city of Aleppo from IS attacks.

As for Turks, capturing the city's northern region paved the way into predominantly Kurdish growing influence and presence in northern Syria - a red line delineated by Turkey.

However, during their advance into the city, Turkish forces killed tens of civilians, according to activists. Endit