20 ISIL militants ‘neutralized’ in northern Syria: Turkish military

ANKARA

AA Photo

A total of 20 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants have been “neutralized” in northern Syria over the last 24 hours as part of the Euphrates Shield operation, the Turkish military said Jan. 30.       

Turkish authorities use the word “neutralized” in their statements to imply the militants in question were killed, captured, or otherwise incapacitated. 

The Turkish Armed Forces also hit 23 ISIL targets in northern Syria, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement on the 160th day of the operation.      

Turkish jets destroyed two gun positions, 20 buildings, and 76 handmade explosives.      

Since the beginning of the operation, Turkish security forces have defused nearly 3,500 handmade explosives and over 55 mines under controlled conditions.  
   
The Euphrates Shield operation began in late August 2016 to tighten border security, eliminate the terror threat along Turkish borders and support opposition forces in Syria. The Free Syrian Army is backed by Turkish artillery and jets as part of the operation.