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

ANKARA

At least 30 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants have been neutralized in northern Syria in the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing Euphrates Shield operation, according to a Turkish General Staff statement released on Jan. 31.      

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

In addition, 207 ISIL targets - including the group’s shelters, headquarters, defensive positions and vehicles - were hit by the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the statement said.      

The Turkish Air Force also hit 24 ISIL targets in the Syrian towns of al-Bab, Bzagah and Tadif, including 20 shelters and an anti-aircraft and a mortar site. 

The Turkish General Staff also released images of these operations.      

Separately, coalition air forces hit an underground tunnel used by the jihadist group during operations in al-Bab.      

The Turkish army supports FSA fighters attempting to liberate al-Bab, a strategic city for ISIL, from the jihadist group.      

The statement also said 55 mines and 3,550 improvised explosives had been defused since the start of the operation on Aug. 24, 2016.      

The Euphrates Shield operation began in late August to improve security, support coalition forces, and eliminate the terror threat along the Turkish border using FSA fighters backed by Turkish artillery and jets.

Jan. 31 marks the 161st day of the operation.