13 Daesh terrorists 'neutralized' in northern Syria

By Esin Isik

ANKARA (AA) - At least 13 Daesh terrorists were "neutralized" in northern Syria in the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing Operation Euphrates Shield, according to a Turkish General Staff statement released Friday.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorist in question either surrendered, or was killed or captured.

The statement added that 70 Daesh targets, including the terror group’s shelters, and weapon emplacements had been hit by Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters with Turkish Land Forces support.

In addition, Turkish fighter jets destroyed 7 targets including a building used as a hideout, a crane and an arsenal. Separately, a weapon-mounted vehicle was destroyed in an airstrike by coalition forces.

The Turkish army is supporting FSA fighters in liberating Al-Bab, a strategic city for Daesh, from the terrorist group. Friday marks the 178th day since the city was surrounded in order to liberate it.

The operation is part of the Turkish-led Operation Euphrates Shield, which 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.