By Halit Suleyman and Izzet Mazi
AL-BAB, Syria (AA): An attack by the Daesh terrorist group killed at least 60 people and injured 100 others in northern Syria’s strategic Al-Bab area on Friday.
According to local sources speaking anonymously to an Anadolu Agency correspondent, Daesh detonated a bomb-laden vehicle at a Free Syrian Army (FSA) position in Susyan village.
Initial reports indicated at least 35 people died, with civilians and FSA members among the fatalities.
Civilians accounted for the majority of those killed, the sources added.
Of those injured, 41 civilians have been transferred to a hospital in the southeastern Turkish province of Kilis, which lies on the border with Syria.
On Thursday, the FSA, backed by the Turkish military, said it had taken control of “almost all” of the strategic town, according to Turkey’s defense minister.
“Almost all of Al-Bab is under control now, and a sweep operation is ongoing,” Fikri Isik told reporters in the Aegean coastal city of Izmir.
“When the operation is over, we will be able to say that Al-Bab has been completely cleared of Daesh elements,” he added.
Turkish-led 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 last summer, relies heavily on FSA fighters backed by Turkish artillery and air support.
[Photo: Members of Free Syrian Army (FSA) patrol as they continue to clean land mines in the Syrian town of Al Bab after the town center has been entirely freed from Daesh terrorists as part of the “Operation Euphrates Shield”, Aleppo, Syria on February 24, 2017. This was before car bomb attack by Daesh. Photographer: Muhabiri Emin Sansar/AA]
