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

ANKARA

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The Turkish army has “neutralized” 21 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants in northern Syria over the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing Euphrates Shield operation, the military announced on Feb. 6.       

Authorities use the word “neutralized” to refer to militants who are killed, wounded or captured.        

In a statement, Turkish Armed Forces also said that 256 ISIL targets, including defensive placements and shelters, had been hit.        

Turkish jets destroyed 65 ISIL targets in al-Bab and Bzagah, including 59 buildings used by terrorists, the statement added.        

In addition, a total of 57 mines and 3,704 improvised explosive devices have been defused since the start of the operation on Aug. 24, 2016, according to the statement.        

The Euphrates Shield operation aims to tighten border security, eliminate terror threats along Turkish borders and support Free Syrian Army opposition forces in Syria.