(Zaman Al Wasl)- Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army announced on Thursday that they had taken full control of the northern town of Al-Bab from ISIS after 75 days of deadly fighting.
"We are announcing Al-Bab completely liberated, and we are now clearing mines from the residential neighborhoods," said Ahmad Othman, commander of the Sultan Mourad, key FSA unit.
Field commanders from two other rebel factions in the town, 30 km (20 miles) from the Turkish border, confirmed the news to AFP.
The Turkish-led Operation Euphrates Shield began six months ago to expel ISIS from border territory with Turkey.
Dozens of civilians have been killed in al-Bab by Turkish, US and Russian airstrikes amid a backlash by media, local activists say.
Al Bab was a prime target since Turkey launched an incursion with Syrian rebels last August to push the extremists from its frontier and prevent gains by a Kurdish militia. (With agencies)
"We are announcing Al-Bab completely liberated, and we are now clearing mines from the residential neighborhoods," said Ahmad Othman, commander of the Sultan Mourad, key FSA unit.
Field commanders from two other rebel factions in the town, 30 km (20 miles) from the Turkish border, confirmed the news to AFP.
The Turkish-led Operation Euphrates Shield began six months ago to expel ISIS from border territory with Turkey.
Dozens of civilians have been killed in al-Bab by Turkish, US and Russian airstrikes amid a backlash by media, local activists say.
Al Bab was a prime target since Turkey launched an incursion with Syrian rebels last August to push the extremists from its frontier and prevent gains by a Kurdish militia. (With agencies)
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