Turkish military hits dozens of Daesh targets in Syria

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA

Turkish military hit dozens of Daesh targets as part of its ongoing Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria Sunday, according to a military source on Monday.

Turkish jets, Firtina (storm) howitzer fire and multiple rocket launchers were used to hit 63 Daesh targets, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Airstrikes also destroyed Daesh elements at nine buildings, which were said to be used by the terrorist group as their command posts and weapons dump, the source said.

Moreover, at least 15 Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters were martyred and 35 others were wounded during clashes with Daesh terrorists, the source said.

A total of 1,720 detected targets have been hit since the beginning of Operation Euphrates Shield, the source added.

Turkey has said Operation Euphrates Shield, which was launched on Aug. 24, is aimed at bolstering border security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the threat posed by terrorist organizations, especially Daesh. So far, 960 square kilometers (370 square miles) of territory in northern Syria have been taken under control since the operation began.

The operation is in line with the country’s right to self-defense borne out of international treaties and a mandate given to Turkey’s armed forces by its parliament in 2014, which was extended for another year in September 2015.