(Zaman Al Wasl)- Free Syrian Army launched Saturday the third phase of
Euphrates Shield Operation against Islamic State in northern Aleppo province,
backed by Turkish aerial cover, commander told Zaman al-Wasl.
Two villages fell to the FSA favor near the strategic town of al-Rai on the Turkish border.
Abdulsalam Basim, the spokesman of Nour Ed-Din al-Zink movement, the third phase aims secure all ground taken in the last three weeks, including Jarablus and an array of border villages.
Turkish military launched Euphrates Shield Operation on Aug. 24 to improve security, support coalition forces and eliminate the terror threat along Turkey's border using Free Syrian Army fighters backed by Turkish armor, artillery and jets.
Basim said the U.S. support is restricted to data and logistic support, assuring that no American troops are fighting on the ground.
The Euphrates Shield seeks to control the powerful ISIS stronghold of al-Baba city in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, the commander added.
Turkish warplanes backing FSA have destroyed 67 ISIS targets in Tatimus and Kunah Tira regions, Anadolu agency said.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish General Staff on Saturday, the targets were hit with 260 howitzer missiles and 59 multiple rockets in the region between Azaz and al-Rai.
In relevant development, regime's army general command said warplanes from the U.S.-led coalition bombed an army position at Jebel Tharda near Deir al-Zor airport on Saturday, paving the way for Islamic State fighters to overun it, Reuters reported.
Two villages fell to the FSA favor near the strategic town of al-Rai on the Turkish border.
Abdulsalam Basim, the spokesman of Nour Ed-Din al-Zink movement, the third phase aims secure all ground taken in the last three weeks, including Jarablus and an array of border villages.
Turkish military launched Euphrates Shield Operation on Aug. 24 to improve security, support coalition forces and eliminate the terror threat along Turkey's border using Free Syrian Army fighters backed by Turkish armor, artillery and jets.
Basim said the U.S. support is restricted to data and logistic support, assuring that no American troops are fighting on the ground.
The Euphrates Shield seeks to control the powerful ISIS stronghold of al-Baba city in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, the commander added.
Turkish warplanes backing FSA have destroyed 67 ISIS targets in Tatimus and Kunah Tira regions, Anadolu agency said.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish General Staff on Saturday, the targets were hit with 260 howitzer missiles and 59 multiple rockets in the region between Azaz and al-Rai.
Saturday's statement said U.S. special forces had supported coalition forces in the operation in Azaz.
The
Turkish military said coalition forces conducted three air operations
against Daesh targets in the Baragidah, Tatimus and Kara Kuz regions,
destroying five buildings.
In relevant development, regime's army general command said warplanes from the U.S.-led coalition bombed an army position at Jebel Tharda near Deir al-Zor airport on Saturday, paving the way for Islamic State fighters to overun it, Reuters reported.
The air strike killed Syrian
soldiers and was "conclusive evidence" that the U.S. and its allies
support the jihadist group, the Syrian army said in a statement, noting
that the strike was "dangerous and blatant aggression".
The
U.S.-led coalition has been conducting air strikes against Islamic
State since September 2014. In December Damascus accused the coalition
of striking an army camp near Deir al-Zor, but Washington said it was
done by Russian jets.
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