The statement issued by the Turkish military provided up-to-date information on the developments that took place between Feb. 14, 7 a.m. (GMT 4 a.m.) to Feb. 15, 7 a.m. local time.
A total of 194 identified targets were shelled by Turkish artillery units, while Turkish warplanes hit 30 Daesh targets destroying 16 buildings used as shelters, three command posts, one car bomb, 10 defense positions, and one ammunition depot.
A total of seven Free Syrian Army (FSA) soldiers died in a Daesh attack targeting a provisional army base settled in the south of al-Bab, as a group of terrorists, believed to number between eight and 10, opened fire and detonated a car bomb near FSA fighters. The statement also noted that eight terrorists were killed during the clashes.
The release also said that three Turkish soldiers have been wounded after their Kirpi-type, mine-resistant armored carrier rolled over. The wounded soldiers do not run any serious health risk, and have been taken to the military hospital.
The Turkish army is supporting FSA fighters in liberating al-Bab, a strategic city for Daesh, from the terrorist group. Tuesday marks the 176th day since the city was surrounded in order to liberate it.
Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield On Aug. 24, 2016 declaring that is was exercising its rights of self-defense codified under the U.N. Charter Article 51.
A National Security Council press release (Nov. 30, 2016) stated that the operation's objectives were to maintain border security and confront Daesh terrorism within the framework of the U.N. Charter. It also emphasized not allowing the PKK terrorist organization along with its affiliates, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and People's Protection Units (YPG), to establish a corridor of terror on Turkey's doorstep.
