Turkish-backed opposition launched an assault on Daesh-held city of Al-Bab in northern Syria on Friday, opposition fighters said, and Turkish warplanes hit dozens of terror targets in support of the offensive.
Hundreds of Arab and Turkmen fighters involved in the assault took control of at least two villages west of Al-Bab, opposition fighters said. Turkish state media said late on Thursday that Ankara had sent 300 Turkish commandos to northern Syria as reinforcement.
The operations are the latest in Turkey’s “Operation Euphrates Shield,” a military incursion launched three and a half months ago in support of the opposition, and meant to push both Daesh militants and Kurdish fighters back from the border.
The Turkish Army said its airstrikes on Friday morning destroyed 34 Daesh targets, including militant bases, shelters, vehicles mounted with guns, and ammunition depots. Ten targets had also been hit the day before.
The military also said the opposition it backs had seized control of an important highway between the towns of Al-Bab and Manbij, around 50 km to the east.
“There is a major assault under way,” a fighter with the Turkmen Sultan Murad brigade speaking from inside Syria said. “God willing we will break Daesh resistance this time. Very powerful troops were sent last night.”

Source: Arab News