Free Syrian Army liberates settlements

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA

Turkey’s military said Thursday the Free Syrian Army (FSA) seized two Syrian settlements located south of Tal Aghbar within the scope of Operation Euphrates Shield.

A statement from Turkish Armed Forces said that the two settlements -- Shuaynah and As Sabuniyah -- were seized after a FSA operation.

Tal Aghbar is located south of Aleppo, near Hama.

The Turkish military statement also said coalition air forces destroyed two Daesh targets in the Pilalayn region.

Operation Euphrates Shield, which was launched Aug. 24, aims at improving security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the terror threat along Turkey’s border through FSA fighters backed by Turkish armor, artillery and jets.

Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the regime of Bashar al-Assad cracked down on pro-democracy protests.