1st LD: Turkey-backed rebels announce capturing major IS stronghold in northern Syria

Turkey-backed Syrian rebels announced Thursday the capture of city al-Bab, the last major stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) group in northern Syria, near the Turkish borders, the Saudi-funded Alarabiya TV reported.

The Turkish forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels as well as other factions fighting under the umbrella of the Euphrates Shield captured al-Bab in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, after weeks of intense battles against the IS militants, said the report.

The Turkish-backed rebels are now combing the city of explosive devices left by the IS.

The move came as the Turkish forces and allied rebels unleashed an overnight offensive against the IS positions in the city.

While the Turkish forces were on an offensive on IS from the northern, western and eastern part of the city, the Syrian army succeeded recently to besiege al-Bab from its southern edge, a move to prevent IS fighters to withdraw toward other stronghold in eastern province of Deir al-Zour, or northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of the terror-designated group.

Observers said the attacks on al-Bab were coordinated between Russians and Turks.

For the Syrian army, securing the southern rim of al-Bab means securing the vicinity of Aleppo from attacks of IS.

As for the Turks, capturing the northern part of the city cuts the way in the face of the growing Kurdish influence in northern Syria, a red line drawn by Turkey. Endit