Turkish warplanes hit 9 Daesh targets in northern Syria

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA

Turkish warplanes “neutralized” at least 23 Daesh and hit several other terrorist targets in airstrikes carried out as part of Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the military.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said its warplanes 'neutralized' 23 Daesh in airstrikes in Al-Bab city of Aleppo province between 10.05 a.m. (0705GMT) and 11.30 a.m. (0830GMT) on Wednesday.

Two Daesh shelters, three headquarters, two checkpoints, three tanks and a bomb-laden vehicle were destroyed in the airstrikes.

Earlier, the military said its warplanes carried out a separate set of airstrikes in Al-Bab between 9.12 p.m. (1812GMT) and 9.54 p.m. (1854GMT) on Tuesday.

Four Daesh shelters, three headquarters and a tank were also destroyed in the airstrikes.

Also, Daesh martyred a Turkish soldier and wounded six other soldiers in a car bomb attack in Al-Bab on Wednesday morning. One of the injured soldiers is said to be in critical condition, the statement added.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question were captured, heavily wounded or killed.

Operation Euphrates Shield began in late August to rid Syria's northern border area of terrorists.

Over 215 residential areas, including more than 1,800 square kilometers (694 square miles) of land in northern Syria have been cleared of Daesh terrorists as part of the operation so far.