Turkey pounds Daesh, PKK/PYD targets in northern Syria

By Kemal Karadag

ANKARA

The army hit 52 Daesh and 13 PKK/PYD targets in northern Syria on Thursday, the Turkish military said Friday.

The strikes were part of Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield, launched in late August to clear the northern Syrian border area of terrorists. It is now in its 80th day.

The statement said eight opposition fighters were martyred and seven others injured during Thursday’s clashes.

According to the Turkish Armed Forces, Syrian opposition forces were unable to gain control of nine villages in the town of Al-Rai town due to Daesh terrorist resistance Thursday.

The 52 Daesh and 13 PKK/PYD targets included shelters, command and control centers, arms, and vehicles.

Opposition fighters also destroyed an armed vehicle and anti-aircraft and defense positions in air-based operations in the Shadir Shuvayhat region where Daesh terrorists were detected.

In total, 36 mines and 1,495 improvised explosives have been defused since the start of the operation on Aug. 24.

Turkish-backed opposition forces have also rid over 1,519 square kilometers (586 square miles) in northern Syria of Daesh terrorists, including 186 residential areas.