Syrian Al-Bab fully taken from IS — Turkish military

The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) finally drove Daesh out of al-Bab on Thursday after a lengthy campaign.

Yet there had been no indication from Erdogan that the Turkish forces inside Syria want to rest on their laurels with the taking of Al-Bab.

He is then expected to meet with Nasr Hariri, a senior member with the largest opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition.

Civilians were gathering to seek permission to return to al-Bab when the bomb exploded, the opposition-run Qasioun news agency said. “The jihadists collapsed, and this morning around 6 am (0400 GMT) we completed the operation”, said Saif Abu Bakr, who heads the Al-Hamza rebel group.

Turkey’s defence minister, Fikri Isik, told CNN-Turk on Thursday that nearly all of the town was now under the control of Turkish troops and their allies.

“Activities continue to clear areas under control of obstacles, mines and hand-made explosives”, the military said.

The capture of Al Bab will give Ankara greater influence over the postwar shape of the country.

According to news agency Reuters, the attack was perpetrated by the so-called “Islamic State” (IS) terror group.

It had earlier said that 42 people, mainly rebels, had died, but later clarified to say the majority of those killed were civilians. Celebratory gunfire could be heard in the city, but no clashes, they said. It said the target was a rebel checkpoint. Two soldiers were killed in the attack while there were also wounded soldiers, he said.

The government responded with intensive air strikes on Thursday that killed at least 32 rebel fighters.

Al-Bab is being closely watched as Turkey weighs its next steps inside Syria.

Fasik noted “it’s been a long time since we entered al-Bab”. Heavy Turkish artillery fire struck al-Bab daily and intensified in recent weeks as Euphrates Shield fighters moved in on the city.

The medical charity Ambulanciers Sans Frontieres said 45 people, mostly civilians, had been killed and about 70 others were wounded.

Yet Ankara persisted, insisting that the Al-Bab operation would be pressed to the end. Photo courtesy of Liwa al-Moutasem.

Operation Euphrates Shield aims to provide security, support USA -led coalition forces and eliminate the terrorist presence along Syria’s northern border with Turkey.

Manbij is a city under Kurdish control, and the USA is said to oppose such a move.

An offensive to take the city was launched in December.

The attack destroyed two Turkish military vehicles, the Amaq report added.