Death toll of Turkish soldiers in al-Bab increase to 16

ANKARA (AA) - The death toll of Turkish soldiers in Syria's Al-Bab has increased to 16, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on Thursday.

Isik's remarks came during a speech in parliament in Turkey's capital Ankara, where he briefed deputies about ongoing Euphrates Shield Operation in northern Syria.

"Over 1,000 Daesh terrorists have been killed since the beginning of the Euphrates Shield operation," said the Turkish defense minister.

Meanwhile, the Turkish General Staff in a written statement said 90 Daesh targets had been destroyed in Al-Bab airstrikes, while 160 terrorists were killed during Thursday's clashes.

Operation Euphrates Shield began in late August to improve security, support coalition forces and eliminate the terror threat along Turkey’s border using Free Syrian Army fighters backed by Turkish artillery and jets.