Turkish-rebel force claims major victory with capture of al-Bab in Aleppo Province from Islamic State
A Turkish-rebel offensive has declared full control of the city of al-Bab, the Islamic State’s last major position in Aleppo Province in northwestern Syria.
The Euphrates Shield operation announced the capture on Thursday morning, following an advance yesterday that moved beyond occupation of 40% of the city to take the Security Square, including the court, post office, and military buildings.
See Turkish-Rebel Force Claims Advance to Center of Al-Bab
A Free Syrian Army fighter takes a selfie at the main market in eastern al-Bab:
The offensive was launched in early December, following a deal between Russia and Turkey, in which Ankara accepted the pro-Assad re-occupation of all of Aleppo city and Moscow acceded to the advance of the Turkish-rebel force in Aleppo Province.
However, progress was slow amid Islamic State resistance, including suicide bombs and improvised explosive devices. That opened up the possibility of an attempt by pro-Assad forces to seize al-Bab as they closed within 6 km (3.5 miles) to the south.
Turkish politicians, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, have said that they now are looking to an offensive against the city of Raqqa, the Islamic State’s central position in northern Syria. Ankara is hoping not only to expand its area of influence, but also to check the Kurdish-led, US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces, which has pushed the Islamic State back in northeastern Syria since late 2015. The SDF has moved west of the Euphrates River — formerly Turkey’s “red line” for the expansion of Syrian Kurdish autonomy — as far as the city of Manbij in Aleppo Province.
In the past two weeks, the heads of the Turkish and US military have discussed the possible Raqqa operation. CIA Director Mike Pompeo has been in Ankara, as has Senator John McCain, a long-time backer of efforts against both the Assad regime and the Islamic State.
Fighters walking through al-Bab:
