Elements of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) backed by Turkish air and ground support encircled the Daesh-held northern Syrian town of Jarablus as part of the joint Turkey-anti Daesh coalition operation dubbed Euphrates Shield on Wednesday, and took control of the town later in the day.
An opposition commander with the Failaq al Sham group, who requested anonymity, told reporters that most of the Daesh fighters in Jarablus had pulled out, some of them surrendering.
Another commander estimated up to 50 percent of the town was now under the control of the Turkish-backed opposition fighters.
"Daesh fighters have withdrawn from several villages on the outskirts of Jarablus and are heading south towards the city of al Bab," the Failaq al Sham commander said.
Video shows Free Syrian Army elements advancing in northern Syria, entering Jarablushttps://t.co/pdvdbEb4VZ pic.twitter.com/IuBdq7JOUV
— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) August 25, 2016
Turkish military sources stated on Wednesday that scouting units have entered the town for reconnaissance missions, while the rest of the FSA forces are waiting at the southern and western entrances of the town. On Thursday, FSA units were still examining the town to find possible Daesh hideouts and explosive traps.
News agencies reporting from the area stated that Daesh fighters offered relatively lower resistance against advancing FSA units.
No casualties have been reported from the Turkish Army, while one member of the FSA has been killed in the operations, reports said.
According to a press statement by the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) reaffirmed full support for the operation to liberate Jarablus from Daesh terrorists.
The statement also noted that the Syrian Coalition welcomes the support provided by Turkish forces and the international coalition against Daesh.
