UPDATE- 43 Daesh terrorists 'neutralized' in northern Syria

UPDATES WITH WEEKLY CASUALTY REPORT

By Esin Isik and Sinan Uslu

ANKARA (AA) - At least 43 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 early Saturday.

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

In addition, 245 Daesh targets, including the terror group’s shelters, headquarters, defense positions and vehicles were hit by Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters with Turkish Land Forces' support, the statement said.

Turkish fighter jets also destroyed 55 buildings used as hideouts, two headquarters, two meeting points, a guard station, an arms depot, and a wireless station of the terrorist group.

In a separate statement issued later on Saturday, the Turkish military said that a total of 223 Daesh terrorists and five PKK/PYD terrorists were "neutralized" in northern Syria as part of Turkish-backed Operation Euphrates Shield over the past week.

The Turkish army is supporting FSA fighters in liberating Al-Bab, a strategic city for Daesh, from the terrorist group. Friday marks the 172nd day since the city was surrounded in order to liberate it.

The Turkey-led Operation Euphrates Shield began in late August to improve security, support coalition forces, and eliminate the terror threat along the Turkish border using FSA fighters backed by Turkish artillery and jets.