The Syrian regime and the PKK terrorist organization's Syrian offshoot, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), have discussed the possibility of cooperating against Turkish-backed Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria, a source told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.

A Russia-brokered meeting between Syrian officials and top representatives of the terror group was held on Friday at the Khmeimim Air Base in the west Syrian city of Latakia, said a source, who also attended the meeting, on condition of anonymity. Operation Euphrates Shield, which has led to the capture of a major part of the Daesh stronghold al-Bab in northern Syria, became the main topic of the discussion, the source said, noting both parties were afraid of the opposition fighters' advance towards PKK/PYD-held territories in the region.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to raise the Syrian regime flag in major residential areas of the southern part of Azaz, including Tal Rifat, Minning, Meranaz, Deyr Jamal, Ayn Dakna and Mayer, to stop the advance of Operation Euphrates Shield forces.

Meanwhile, one Turkish soldier was killed and three others were injured by Daesh terrorists during operations on Sunday, the 173rd day of the operation, while at least 42 Daesh terrorists were hit by the Turkish military in the past 24 hours in al-Bab, according to a Turkish General Staff statement released early Sunday.

In addition, 174 Daesh targets, including the terror group's shelters, headquarters, defense positions and vehicles were hit by Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters with the support of the Turkish army, the statement said. Turkish fighter jets also destroyed 33 buildings that were being used as hideouts.

On Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Turkish forces and moderate opposition fighters entered al-Bab from the west and then took full control of its western suburbs after fierce clashes with Daesh terrorists. The fighting coincided with "Turkish shelling and intensive airstrikes" on al-Bab, the Britain-based monitor said.

While Turkish-led forces have been advancing from the north, east and west, Syrian regime troops have been attacking from the south. On Monday, regime forces severed a road leading into the town from the south and by Friday were just 1.5 kilometers (less than a mile) from the southern outskirts of al-Bab.