12 Daesh men killed in Syria, says Turkey

ANKARA: Russian fighter jets have hit three Daesh targets around the northern Syrian town of Al-Bab over the past 24 hours, the Turkish military said on Friday, in what appeared to be the first Russian support for Turkish Army operations in the area.
The strikes came as a nationwide cease-fire in Syria, brokered by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides in the conflict, got off to a shaky start at midnight. The cease-fire does not include Daesh.
NATO member Turkey launched an incursion into Syria, dubbed “Euphrates Shield,” more than four months ago to drive Daesh away from its border. Turkish-backed Syrian fighters have besieged Al-Bab for several weeks as part of the offensive.
In a daily round-up of its operations in the region, the Turkish military said it had information that 12 Daesh militants had been killed in the air strikes around Al-Bab. It said the targets were in the town and directly to its south.
Turkey on Monday called on the US-led coalition against Daesh to provide air support for the operation around Al-Bab, which has not so far been forthcoming.
That call came hours after the Turkish military said 30 civilians were killed and many wounded as Daesh launched an attack in Al-Bab to stop people fleeing.
Turkey and the United States are at odds over the role of Kurdish militia fighters in northern Syria, who have frontlines close to Al-Bab. Turkey views them as a hostile force, but they have received US backing in the fight against Daesh.
With Euphrates Shield, Turkey aims to prevent the Kurdish YPG militia from joining up cantons it already controls along the Turkish border.