Turkish soldier killed in ISIL attack in Syria’s al-Bab

GAZİANTEP

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One soldier was killed and two others were wounded in an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) attack in Syria’s al-Bab on Jan. 29, Doğan News Agency has reported.ISIL militants attacked troops in the al-Bab region on the afternoon of the 159th day of the Euphrates Shield operation.Specialized sergeant Ayhan Elmacı was killed and two soldiers were wounded in the attack.The wounded soldiers were taken to hospitals in the border provinces of Gaziantep and Kilis.Earlier in the day, the Turkish military said a total of 18 ISIL militants were “neutralized” in northern Syria over the last 24 hours as part of the Euphrates Shield operation.Turkish authorities use the word “neutralized” in their statements to imply the militants in question were killed, captured or incapacitated.The Turkish Armed Forces also hit 18 ISIL targets in northern Syria, said a Turkish General Staff statement.Turkish jets destroyed three gun positions, four checkpoints, two underground tunnels and nine buildings.Since the beginning of the operation 3,431 handmade explosives and 55 mines were neutralized under controlled conditions.The Euphrates Shield operation began in late August 2016 to tighten border security, eliminate the terror threat along Turkish borders and support opposition forces in Syria. The Free Syrian Army is backed by Turkish artillery and jets as part of the operation.More than 40 Turkish soldiers have been killed in the operation so far.