Daesh ousted from 7 more villages in northern Syria

ANKARA (AA) - Syrian opposition forces have captured seven more villages in northern Syria as part of Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield, the Turkish military said Wednesday.

According to Turkish Armed Forces, the Syrian opposition forces "gained most control" of the villages of Numan, Soussoum Baat, Tall Jurji, Shabiran, Tarhin, Tabajiq and Maziji south of Al-Rai town Tuesday.

The statement said six Daesh terrorists were "neutralized" in two airstrikes carried out by the U.S.-led coalition forces in the region, while two opposition fighters were martyred and 26 others injured during Tuesday's clashes.

The Turkish Armed Forces also hit 90 Daesh and five PKK/PYD targets including shelters, command and control centers, arms and vehicles.

Operation Euphrates Shield was launched in late August to clear Syria's northern border area of terrorists. Wednesday marks the 78th day of the operation.

In total, 36 mines and 1,483 improvised explosives have been defused since the start of the operation.

Turkey-backed opposition forces have also cleared nearly 1,500 square kilometers (579 square miles) of Daesh terrorists in northern Syria, including 186 residential areas.