16 ISIL militants ‘neutralized’ in northern Syria

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

AA Photo

At least 16 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants were “neutralized” in northern Syria in the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing Euphrates Shield operation by Ankara-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Turkish forces, according to a Turkish General Staff statement on Feb. 18.

Authorities often use the word “neutralized” in their statements to imply the militant in question was either surrendered, killed or captured.

The statement said 95 ISIL targets, including shelters and gun emplacements, had been hit by Turkish Land Forces. 

In addition, Turkish fighter jets destroyed 9 targets including a building used as a hideout and two vehicles. 

Turkey and the FSA have been focused on liberating al-Bab from ISIL since late November last year as part of the operation, launched in late August to clear the terror threat along Turkey's southern border. 

U.S.-led coalition forces also killed five ISIL militants in air strikes, the statement said.