Turkish-backed fighters take Syrian villages from Daesh

By Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s military confirmed on Wednesday that one Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighter died and 14 others were injured during clashes in the north of the country on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s casualties came amid Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield which began in late August to clear Syria's northern border area of terrorists. Wednesday marks the 85th day of the operation.

Turkey said three Daesh terrorists were also captured in Tuesday’s fighting.

FSA special taskforce soldiers gained control of two villages in the Al-Bab area -- Kabbasin and Al-Kufayr.

The Turkish military said Syrian opposition forces also hit 74 Daesh and one PKK/PYD target on Tuesday, including shelters, command-and-control centers and vehicles.

Over 200 residential areas, including more than 1,700 square kilometers (656 square miles), of land in northern Syria have been cleared of Daesh terrorists as part of Operation Euphrates Shield so far.