By Ferdi Turkten
ANKARA (AA) - Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army forces have taken control of all neighborhoods in Syria’s Al-Bab, Turkish military said Friday.
In a statement, the Turkish Chief of General Staff said a sweep operation was ongoing to clear the northern strategic town of mines and explosives planted by Daesh terrorists.
A total of 230 residential areas and 1,925 square kilometers of land have been freed from the Daesh terror group in northern Syria since the onset last August of the Turkey-backed military operation in the region, it added.
Operation Euphrates Shield aims to provide security, support U.S.-led coalition forces and eliminate the terrorist presence along Syria’s northern border with Turkey.
The operation, which began on Aug. 24, relies heavily on Free Syrian Army fighters backed by Turkish artillery and air supports.