Turkey: Russian air strikes target IS in northern Syria
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 December 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Turkey: Russian air strikes target IS in northern Syria, 30 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a3cc27.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 30, 2016
The Turkish military said on December 30 that 1,171 IS militants and 291 Kurdish fighters had been killed since the start of Turkey's incursion into Syria on August 24.
Turkey's military says Russian aircraft have carried out three air strikes over the past 24 hours targeting Islamic State (IS) militants in northern Syria, in what appears to be the first Russian support for Turkish forces in the area.
The military said in a statement on December 30 the air strikes killed 12 IS fighters in the Syrian town of Al-Bab, where Turkish forces launched an operation in August to push back IS from the border region.
The IS-controlled town has been besieged by Turkish-backed rebels for several weeks.
The strikes came as a nationwide truce in Syria, brokered by Russia and Turkey, took effect at midnight and appeared to be holding in spite of reports of isolated clashes.
Separately, the military said that one Turkish soldier was killed and five others wounded in an IS attack in the Azraq area, west of Al-Bab. It said Turkish planes carried out air strikes in Al-Bab and Daglabash, killing 26 IS fighters.
On December 26, Turkey called on the U.S.-led coalition against IS to provide air support for the operation around Al-Bab.
Turkey's operations in Syria are also designed to halt the advances of the Kurdish YPG militia, which Ankara sees as a hostile force.
The Turkish military said on December 30 that 1,171 IS militants and 291 Kurdish fighters had been killed since the start of Turkey's incursion into Syria on August 24.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Dailysabah.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
