Al-Bab: Daesh's strategic fort in Syria

Following the declaration of Raqqa as a de facto capital of the terror group Daesh-held territory in Iraq and Syria, the northern Syrian city of Al Bab became a strategically important city for the terrorists.

Al Bab is on the connection line with Raqqa as the terrorists use it as their supply rout. The city was also under the target of the PKK / YPG terrorist group that aimed to connect their so-called cantons from Manbij to Afrin by seizing the city.

Last week, Turkish military-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces launched a final assault to free Al-Bab from Daesh under the ongoing Euphrates Shield.

Euphrates Shield forces have reached the northern outskirt of the city and have been attempting to encircle it.

Security sources said around 500 terrorists were in the city to fight against the Turkish military and FSA forces.

The operation Euphrates Shield forces had conducted a wide-ranging field research and prepared a three-axis assault plan.

The operation has been continuing as Turkish military aircrafts are relentlessly pounding on terrorist targets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are conducting surveillance flights over the city.

The operation Euphrates Shield was launched on Aug. 24 to protect the Turkish border from the Daesh and YPG terror groups and drive them away from Syrian cities across the border.

The joint forces have cleared around an area of roughly 1,800 sq km in northern Syria so far, and are advancing towards the south.

Turkey said the aim of the operation was to clear around 5,000 sq km areas from the terror group.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said earlier this week the FSA forces would be heading towards PKK/ YPG-held Manbij, a city on the western bank of the Euphrates River, after liberating Al Bab.