70 pct of planned safe zone area in N Syria freed

Turkey's military-backed Free Syrian Army fighters have completely cleared 70 percent of Ankara's planned safe zone area in northern Syria from Daesh terrorist group.

The operation Euphrates Shield, which was launched on Aug. 24, aimed to clear the A'zaz-Jarabulus line of Daesh to establish a safe zone for Syrian refugees.

After 52 days of the successful operation, FSA fighters have taken control of more than 134 areas including some strategic points like Jarabulus, Akhtarin, Kafr and Rail.

An approximated 12,000-square- kilometer area has been freed of Daesh terrorists.

The areas sum up 70 percent of Ankara's long-planned safe-zone area as the plan also includes the city of Manbij, still under the control of the PKK terror group's Syrian affiliate PYD.

According to the safe zone plan, areas between Jarabulus and A'zaz, including Manbij, would be cleared from the terror groups and established as a secured zone under the United Nation's observation.

Roughly 85 percent of planned areas were under the control of Daesh and 15 percent were controlled by PYD terrorist groups.

More than 30,000 displaced Syrians have returned to their houses in the liberated areas so far. A total of 300,000 Syrians are expected to be returning in coming days.

Turkish government authorities, aid agencies and the health administration have been working in the liberated areas to provide food, water, electricity supply and medical treatment to locals.

FSA fighters backed by Turkish aerial vehicles, tanks, armors and Special Forces, are now prepared for the operation to liberate Dabiq, which has a symbolic value to Daesh.

Dabiq is thought to be full of traps as the terror group believes the largest fight would be placed in the village according to a Hadith from the Prophet Muhammad.

A group of FSA fighters have surrounded the village after capturing the neighboring Kafrah, Alzarieh and Turkmen Bareh.

Another team is heading towards al-Bab, the Daesh stronghold in northern Aleppo, which is also considered the most strategic city in the area.

An intensive fight is expected in the area, as it also contains al-Abla, another strategic point between al-Bab and Marea that is being used as a logistic base by Daesh.

Daesh is believed to establish a weapon factory in the area near al-Abla village surrounded by mountains.

Several deep caves used as the weapon depots are also in the area, where the air operation may not be successful.