Feb. 24 (UPI) — The Islamic State terrorist group detonated a car bomb in suburban al-Bab, Syria, on Friday, killing up to 60 people, local sources said.
The bomb exploded at a position in the village of Susyan controlled by the Free Syrian Army, a coalition of rebel groups. While casualty counts varied, civilians accounted for the majority of the casualties, initial reports said. At least 100 people were injured, local sources told Turkey’s state-run news source Anadolu Agency. The injured were taken to a hospital in Kilis, Turkey, on the border with Syria.
A day earlier, IS forces began leaving al-Bab after FSA troops captured the strategic city with Turkish military assistance. Firki Isik, Turkey’s defense minister, said “Almost all of al-Bab in under control now, and a sweep operation is ongoing.”
FSA troops began their advance on the city earlier in February. It is part of operation Euphrates Shield, an operation in which FSA forces are backed by Turkish artillery and air support to battle the Islamic State — also identified as Daesh, ISIS and ISIL.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.