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Turkey-backed forces take control over al-Bab: Turkish defense minister

Xinhua, February 23, 2017 Adjust font size:

Al-Bab in northern Syria is almost under the full control of Turkey and Turkish-backed forces, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, the Turkish army announced in a statement that the FSA forces have seized most of the town and have liberated two more districts from Islamic State (IS) group.

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik confirmed the news on Thursday during an interview with private news channel NTV, adding "most of al-Bab was under full control in Turkish army and FSA."

Turkey-backed FSA forces also said on Thursday that they have taken full control over al-Bab.

Turkey and FSA rebels have been trying to capture al-Bab from IS since December 2016 as part of its ongoing Euphrates Shield operation, which was launched on Aug. 24, 2016, in order to clear the border with Syria. Endit