Remains of Turkish soldiers repatriated from Syria

By Ozkan Beyer

GAZIANTEP, Turkey (AA) - The bodies of two soldiers martyred during the battle to take the Syrian town of Al-Bab have been returned to Turkey, a security official said Tuesday.

Infantry Sgt. Kivanc Kasikci, from Canakkale province, and Gendarme Sgt. Muhammet Duran, from Adana, went missing on Nov. 29 during the operation to take Al-Bab from Daesh.

They were returned to Gaziantep in southern Turkey and will be later sent to their home provinces, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to media.

They were serving in Syria as part of Operation Euphrates Shield, which was launched in August to rid Syria's northern border area of terrorists.