41 ISIL militants ‘neutralized’ in northern Syria

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

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At least 41 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants were “neutralized” in northern Syria over the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing Euphrates Shield Operation, the Turkish military said Jan. 13.   

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

A total of 177 ISIL targets including shelters, defense positions, command control centers, weapons and vehicles were hit with the help of target detection systems, said a Turkish General Staff statement.      

Separately, Turkish jets destroyed 10 other ISIL targets in air raids on the Suflaniyah and Bzagah regions, the statement added. Targets included four shelters, four headquarters and two weapon-mounted vehicles.  
    
The Turkish army is supporting Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters in liberating al-Bab, a strategic city for ISIL, from the jihadist group. Jan. 13 marks the 143th day since the city was surrounded in order to liberate it.    
 
The operation is part of the Turkish-led Euphrates Shield operation, which began in late August to improve security, support coalition forces, and eliminate the terror threat along Turkey’s border.

In total, 43 landmines and 2,917 makeshift explosives have been defused since the start of the operation on Aug. 24.