23 ISIL militants ‘neutralized’ in northern Syria

ANKARA

AA photo

Twenty-three 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 early on Jan. 20.        

Turkish authorities use the word “neutralized” in their statements to imply the militants in question were either killed, captured or incapacitated.  
     
The Turkish Armed Forces also hit 224 ISIL targets, including shelters, defense points, command and control facilities, as well as vehicles in the al-Bab, Bzagah and Suflaniyah regions, said a Turkish General Staff statement.        

Coalition forces also hit four targets on the 150th day of the operation.        

The Turkish army is supporting Free Syrian Army fighters in their fight to take control of al-Bab from the jihadist group.        

Since the start of the operation, 3,014 handmade explosives and 43 mines have been defused under controlled conditions, the military added.        

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.