5 Turkish soldiers martyred in northern Syria

Three more Turkish soldiers have been martyred in a clash with Daesh terrorists in northern Syria, bringing the total to five, the military said on Wednesday.

The Turkish General Staff had earlier confirmed that two other Turkish soldiers had been martyred and 58 Daesh terrorists "neutralized" during Operation Euphrates Shield.

Turkish authorities use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered, were captured or killed.

The statement added that 15 other soldiers were also slightly injured during the clashes early on Wednesday. The military offered condolences to families of the martyred soldiers.

The Turkish Armed Forces also hit 254 Daesh targets in northern Syria, the General Staff said.

Turkish jets conducted 65 air raids in northern Syria and destroyed 58 buildings, plus three tunnel entrances and an armed vehicle.

Coalition jets also conducted seven air raids and hit 13 Daesh targets in the Al-Bab area, the Turkish statement said.

An operation was launched late Tuesday to take control of Al-Bab. As a result of the operation, Free Syrian Army fighters supported by the Turkish military seized a number of strategic hills, the Turkish General Staff statement added.

Operation Euphrates Shield began in late August 2016 to tighten border security, eliminate the terror threat along Turkey's southern frontiers and support opposition forces in Syria.