Turkey-backed forces take large area in Syria with operation: Army
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
DHA Photo
Ankara-backed Syrian rebel forces have taken control of around 960 square kilometers of land in Syria, along Turkey’s border with the country, the Turkish military said Oct. 2.Marking the 40th day of the Euphrates Shield Operation that was launched on Aug. 24, the Turkish General Staff said in a written statement that a total of 111 residential areas over 960 square kilometers of northern Syria had been cleared.
Turkey has said the Operation Euphrates Shield is aimed at bolstering border security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the threat posed by terror organizations, especially ISIL.
The military also said a total of 1,657 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets had been destroyed by over 6,000 rounds of artillery and rocket fire since the start of the operation.
Three special task force groups of the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) seized control of the Uwaysiah, Tal-Atiyah, Jubban and al-Eyyubiyah regions on Oct. 1, the Turkish military said. Two FSA fighters were killed and eight others were injured during the Oct. 1 clashes.
Almost 80 ISIL targets were also hit by Turkish artillery on Oct. 1, the statement said. Gun emplacements, small armed groups, three bomb-laden vehicles, four fortified sites with Katyusha rockets, nine sheltering areas and two headquarters were destroyed.
Turkish jets also bombed seven targets in Turkmen Bari, Akhtarin, Ghaytun and Kuaybah, killing four ISIL militants. Seven buildings used as command posts and weapon emplacements by ISIL were also destroyed.
In addition, coalition forces carried out four air operations in the Guzel Mezra and Suran regions, killing five ISIL militants and destroying four buildings.
Turkey has said the Operation Euphrates Shield is aimed at bolstering border security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the threat posed by terror organizations, especially ISIL.
The military also said a total of 1,657 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets had been destroyed by over 6,000 rounds of artillery and rocket fire since the start of the operation.
Three special task force groups of the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) seized control of the Uwaysiah, Tal-Atiyah, Jubban and al-Eyyubiyah regions on Oct. 1, the Turkish military said. Two FSA fighters were killed and eight others were injured during the Oct. 1 clashes.
Almost 80 ISIL targets were also hit by Turkish artillery on Oct. 1, the statement said. Gun emplacements, small armed groups, three bomb-laden vehicles, four fortified sites with Katyusha rockets, nine sheltering areas and two headquarters were destroyed.
Turkish jets also bombed seven targets in Turkmen Bari, Akhtarin, Ghaytun and Kuaybah, killing four ISIL militants. Seven buildings used as command posts and weapon emplacements by ISIL were also destroyed.
In addition, coalition forces carried out four air operations in the Guzel Mezra and Suran regions, killing five ISIL militants and destroying four buildings.