A comparatively weak occupational force has been replaced by one of the strongest forces in the world in al-Bad. Things have gone from bad to worse. Reports that ISIS have been defeated in al-Bab may superficially being joy to many readers. But the reality is far from good. In scoring a strategically important victory against…
Following Turkey’s path in the war against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria is extremely confusing. One cannot even rely on high-level officials’ statements regarding developments on the ground. For instance, Gen. Hulusi Akar, the chief of general staff, is the highest Turkish official in uniform. As he was traveling Feb. 15 with President Recep…
Turkish forces continue to face hard times near al-Bab. After their withdrawal from the al-Bab hospital on December 22, ISIS used at least one suicide bomber against the Turkish army and pro-Turkey militants and continued attacks in the area. As result of the clashes, ISIS captured two Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, one ACV-15 vehicle,…
Last night, the Syrian Air Force delivered air strikes on the Turkish Armed Forces near the ISIS controlled town of al-Bab in northern Syria, according to local sources in the Aleppo province. The Turkish military confirmed that three Turkish soldiers were killed and 10 others wounded (one of them seriously) as result of an air strikes thought…
The city of Al-Bab is located in the northern part of the Aleppo Province (about 36km northeast of Aleppo, about 26km south of border with Turkey), and remains under ISIS control. Its strategic importance increased after Kurdish and SDF forces took Manbij which had served as an important ISIS logistical node for 2.5 years, helping transfer…
