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SYRIA: Turkish Warplanes Strike 15 Targets in al-Bab Area
On November 13, the Turkish military launched a joint operation with the Free Syrian army faction, by bombing the ISIS strongholds in northern Syria, al-Bab area.
President Erdogan stated that it’s vital to take control of al-Bab area, which is a 30 km south of the Turkish border, before launching an operation against Manjib (which was recently freed by Kurdish forces) and the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa.
More than ten ISIS positions, which include a command center and an ammunition depot, were destroyed during the bombing of the Turkish jet fighters. During the same assault, nine Syrian rebels from the Free Syrian Army were killed and about 52 or more were injured.
Besides ISIS fortification, the assault targeted Kurdish militia YPG in the region. During the 24 hours shelling, ten Kurdish fighters were neutralized, trying to take control of Tal Jian area a military source stated. The Kurdish YPG is a US-backed faction that is currently fighting the ISIS, but the government from Anakara denounced the faction as being affiliated with PKK and that it is responsible for the attack on the southeast of Turkey and is considered as a terrorist group by the EU, USA and Turkey.
In a conclusion, Turkey’s bombardment is a part of the actions taken by the Ankara government by trying to impose themselves as a regional actor in the Syrian conflict.
Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKBN1390FA
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=106086&NewsCatID=352
