36 jihadists killed in anti-ISIL operations in northern Syria

ANKARA

A total of 36 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants were killed in clashes on Nov. 2 in northern Syria, the Turkish army said in a statement on Nov. 3. 

The Turkish Armed Forces “neutralized” 22 ISIL militants on Nov. 2, the 72nd day of the Euphrates Shield Operation, during clashes in northern Syria, the military said in a statement on Nov. 3. 

U.S.-led anti-ISIL coalition air strikes in the Baruzah and Ak Burhan regions also killed another 14 fighters, the statement said.

The clashes also left 11 Free Syrian Army (FSA) opposition fighters injured.

Turkey destroyed a total of 100 ISIL targets, as well as four belonging to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), which Turkey regards as a terrorist organization due to its ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), including shelters, defensive positions and command-and-control centers. 

The Operation Euphrates Shield was launched in late August to purportedly clear Syria’s northern border area of militants. 

Since the operation began, 1,345 square kilometers have been taken under control, the statement said.  
     
The statement added that six residential areas – Ak Burhan, Baruzah, Vash, al-Gharz, Tlatinah and Tiltanah – that were previously under ISIL control have been recaptured.  
     
The operation continues to advance toward al-Bab, a strategic district in Syria’s north.