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| conflict = 2016 al-Bab offensive |
| conflict = 2016 al-Bab offensive |
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| partof = the [[Turkish military intervention in the |
| partof = the [[Turkish military intervention in the Syria]] |
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| image = [[File:Turkish Offensive in Northern Syria.png|300px]]<br>Map of the wider Turkish-led operations in northern Aleppo |
| image = [[File:Turkish Offensive in Northern Syria.png|300px]]<br>Map of the wider Turkish-led operations in northern Aleppo |
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*{{flag|United States}} |
*{{flag|United States}} |
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| combatant2 = '''{{flag|Islamic State}}''' |
| combatant2 = '''{{flag|Islamic State}}''' |
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| commander1 = {{flagicon|Turkey}} Lt. Gen. [[Zekai Aksakallı]]<ref name=specforc>[http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-special-forces-from-stopping-a-coup-to-the-frontline-of-the-isil-fight.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103178&NewsCatID=352 Turkish Special Forces: From stopping a coup to the frontline of the ISIL fight] [[Hürriyet Daily News]], 24 August 2016.</ref><br>({{small|Operations chief commander}})<br>{{flagicon|Turkey}} Lt. Gen. İsmail Metin Temel<ref name="signals">{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKCN1111F1|title=Turkey signals no quick end to Syria incursion as truck bomb kills police|author=Nick Tattersall; Humeyra Pamuk|work=Reuters|date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/korgeneral-ismail-metin-temel-cerablusta-40208457|title=Korgeneral İsmail Metin Temel Cerablus’ta|publisher=Hürriyet Daily News|date=26 August 2016}}</ref><br>({{small|[[Second Army (Turkey)|Second Army]] commander}})<br>{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}}{{flagicon image|Flag of the Sultan Murad Brigade.png}} Col. Ahmed Othman<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-targets-islamic-state-in-syrian-border-town/3478539.html|title=Turkish Forces and Rebels Storm Into Syria, Taking IS Stronghold of Jarablus|publisher=VOA|date=24 August 2016}}</ref><br>({{small|Sultan Murad Division commander}})<br>{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}}{{flagicon image|Flag of the Sultan Murad Brigade.png}} Fehim İsa<ref name="Sultan Murat">{{cite web|url=http://sultanmurattumeni.com/entry/slug-d8krvl|title=SULTAN MURAT TÜMENİ KOMUTANI FEHİM İSA TATHAMUS TÜRKMEN KÖYÜNÜN DEAŞ TERÖR ÖRGÜTÜNDEN TEMİZLENDİĞİNİ AÇIKLADI|date=24 August 2016}}</ref><br>({{small|Sultan Murad Division commander}})<br>{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}}{{flagicon image|Flag of the Sultan Murad Brigade.png}} Ali Şeyh Salih<ref name="Sultan Murat Tugayları">{{cite web|url=http://haber.star.com.tr/dunya/sultan-murat-tugaylari-once-cobanbey-ardindan-menbice/haber-1136807|title=Sultan Murat Tugayları: Önce Çobanbey ardından Menbiç'e ilerleyeceğiz|date=25 August 2016}}</ref><br>({{small|Sultan Murad Division commander}})<br>{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} Mohammad Abu Ibrahim<ref name="al-Bab aim">{{cite web|url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567306-turkey-backed-rebels-set-sights-on-key-isis-held-town|title=Turkey-backed rebels aim for key ISIS-held town|author=Albin Szakola|publisher=NOW.|date=25 August 2016}}</ref><br>{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}}{{flagicon image|Flag of the al-Moutasem Brigade.png}} Mustafa Sejari<ref name="al-Bab aim" /><br>({{small|Al-Moutasem Brigade political leader}})<br>{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} Abu Mohammed Kafr Zita<ref name=Tastekin /> ({{small|Liberation Brigade commander}})<br>{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} Abdel Karim Alyato<ref name="Abdel Karim Alyato">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NorthernStork/status/777489649698738176|title=FSA 13th brigade field commander killed in clashes with IS north Aleppo|work=Stork on Twitter|date=18 September 2016}}</ref>{{KIA}}<br>({{small|13th Division commander}})<br>{{flagicon image|Liwa Ahfad Saladin variant opposition flag.svg}} Mahmoud Abu Hamza <small>(Liwa Ahfad Saladin commander)</small><ref name=direct>{{cite web|url=http://syriadirect.org/news/turkish-backed-fsa-rebels-set-their-sights-on-last-is-aleppo-stronghold%C2%A0after-border-victory/|title=Turkish-backed FSA rebels set their sights on last IS Aleppo stronghold after border victory|work=Syria:direct|date=5 September 2016}}</ref><br>{{flagicon image|Al-Liwaa.svg}} Capt. Abdel Salam Abdel Razaq <small>(Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki commander)</small><ref name=direct/><br> |
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| commander1 = {{flagicon image|Liwa Ahfad Saladin variant opposition flag.svg}} Mahmoud Abu Hamza <small>(Liwa Ahfad Saladin commander)</small><ref name=direct>{{cite web|url=http://syriadirect.org/news/turkish-backed-fsa-rebels-set-their-sights-on-last-is-aleppo-stronghold%C2%A0after-border-victory/|title=Turkish-backed FSA rebels set their sights on last IS Aleppo stronghold after border victory|work=Syria:direct|date=5 September 2016}}</ref><br>{{flagicon|Syrian opposition}} Col. Haitham al-Afisi <small>(FSA commander)</small><ref name=pivotal>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/09/syria-battles-al-bab-manbij-sdf-isis-withdrawal-aleppo.html|title=Why the battle for al-Bab is pivotal in Syria|work=Al-Monitor|date=15 September 2016}}</ref><br>{{flagicon image|Flag of the Sultan Murad Brigade.png}} Col. Ahmed Osman <small>(Sultan Murad Division commander)</small><ref name=pivotal/><br>{{flagicon image|Al-Liwaa.svg}} Capt. Abdel Salam Abdel Razaq <small>(Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki commander)</small><ref name=direct/><br>{{flagicon image|Insignia of the 13th Division.svg}} Abdel Karim 'Aleeto{{KIA}} <small>(13th Division commander)</small><ref name=tank/> |
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| commander2 = Unknown |
| commander2 = Unknown |
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| units1 = {{ |
| units1 = {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Turkish Armed Forces]] |
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*{{ |
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Turkish Land Forces Command.svg}} [[Turkish Land Forces]] |
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*{{ |
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Turkish Air Force Command.svg}} [[Turkish Air Force]] |
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*{{flagicon image| |
*{{flagicon image|OKK.png|border=}} [[Special Forces (Turkish Armed Forces)|Special Forces]] |
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<br/>''[[Free Syrian Army]] labeled Syrian rebels''<br/> |
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*{{flagicon image|Insignia of the 13th Division.svg}} [[13th Division (Syrian rebel group)|13th Division]] |
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{{flagicon image|Flag of the Sultan Murad Brigade.png}} [[Sultan Murad Division]]<ref name=hdn>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/live-turkish-military-coalition-forces-launch-euphrates-shield-operation-in-jarablus.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103175&NewsCatID=352 |title= LIVE: Turkish military, coalition forces launch 'Euphrates Shield' operation in Jarablus |work= [[Hürriyet Daily News]] |date= 24 August 2016}}</ref><br/> |
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*{{Flagicon image|Liwa Ahfad Saladin variant opposition flag.svg}} [[Liwa Ahfad Saladin]] |
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{{flagicon image|Al-Liwaa.svg}} Brigade of Conquest<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/naher-osten/krieg-in-syrien-die-trennlinien-verschwimmen-14405762.html|title=Krieg in Syrien - Die Trennlinien verschwimmen |author=Christoph Ehrhardt|language=German|work=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]]|date=26 August 2016}}</ref><br/> |
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*[[Levant Front]] |
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{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} [[Free Idlib Army]]<ref name="Idlib Army">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/new-rebel-group-formed-idlib/|title=New rebel group formed in Idlib|work=AMN|date=20 September 2016}}</ref><br/> |
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{{flagicon image|JSOC.png|border=no}} [[US special forces]] |
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*{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} [[13th Division (Syrian rebel group)|13th Division]]<ref name="Abdel Karim Alyato">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NorthernStork/status/777489649698738176|title=FSA 13th brigade field commander killed in clashes with IS north Aleppo|work=Stork on Twitter|date=18 September 2016}}</ref> |
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*{{flagicon image|Alternate flag of the Mountain Hawks Brigade.png}} [[Mountain Hawks Brigade]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.daeshdaily.com/august-24-2016/ |title= August 24, 2016 |publisher= Daesh Daily |date= 25 August 2016}}</ref><ref name=withdraw>{{cite web|url=http://aranews.org/2016/09/%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%B5%D9%82%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%84-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AD%D8%A8-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA/|title=Mountain Hawks Brigade withdraw from Euphrates Shield and head to Aleppo|work=ARA News|date=17 September 2016}}</ref><br><small>(until 17 September)</small><br/> |
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{{Flagicon image|Liwa Ahfad Saladin variant opposition flag.svg}} [[Liwa Ahfad Saladin]]<ref name=direct>{{cite web|url=http://syriadirect.org/news/turkish-backed-fsa-rebels-set-their-sights-on-last-is-aleppo-stronghold%C2%A0after-border-victory/|title=Turkish-backed FSA rebels set their sights on last IS Aleppo stronghold after border victory|work=Syria:direct|date=5 September 2016}}</ref><br/> |
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{{flagicon image|Flag of the al-Moutasem Brigade.png}} [[Al-Moutasem Brigade]]<ref name="al-Bab aim" /><br/> |
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{{Flagicon image|Al-Liwaa.svg}} Ahrar al-Sharqiya<ref>http://qasioun.net/en/news/show/37188/Ahrar_Al_Sharqya_Withdraw_From_Euphrates_Shield_As_They_Refuse_The_US_Forces_Interfere_To_Rai_Video</ref><br>({{small|until 16 September}})<br/> |
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{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} [[Levant Front]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://jkalternativeviewpoint.com/jkalternate/?p=8419 |title= Syria à la Carte: Turkish Invasion Highlights Rapidly Shifting Alliances-Maximilian Popp and Christoph Reuter |publisher= JK Alternative Viewpoint |date= 31 August 2016}}</ref><br/> |
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{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} [[Jaish al-Tahrir|Liberation Army]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/08/2-us-backed-groups-clash-in-northern-syria.php |title= Two US-backed groups clash in northern Syria |author=Caleb Weiss |publisher= The Long War Journal |date= 29 August 2016}}</ref><br/> |
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{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} [[Hamza Division (Aleppo)|Hamza Division]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dw.com/tr/analiz-f%C4%B1rat-kalkan%C4%B1nda-bir-haftal%C4%B1k-bilan%C3%A7o/a-19520809 |title= Analiz: Fırat Kalkanı’nda bir haftalık bilanço |author= Serhat Erkmen |publisher= DW |date= 1 September 2016}}</ref><br/> |
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{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} [[Jaysh al-Salam#Liberation Brigade|Liberation Brigade]] ({{small|Leader and 50 defectors, rest still in the SDF}})<ref name=Tastekin /><br/> |
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{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} [[Fastaqim Union]]<ref name="Fastaqim">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FkoUnion/status/777511166851637248|title=تعزية الفصائل العسكرية باستشهاد القائد العسكري للقوة المركزية في الفرقة13|work=Fastaqim Union on Twitter|date=18 September 2016}}</ref><br/> |
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{{Flagicon|Syrian opposition}} First Division of Aleppo<ref name="First Division">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/bandofaleppo/posts/303199196723835|title=فرقة حلب الأولى - The first band of Aleppo|work=First Division of Aleppo on Facebook|date=18 September 2016}}</ref><br/> |
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<br/>''Other Syrian rebels''<br> |
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{{flagicon image|Al-Liwaa.svg}} [[Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki]]<ref name="Military Times" /><br/> |
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{{flagicon image|Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg}} [[Ahrar al-Sham]]<ref name="Military Times">{{cite web|url=http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/turkish-tanks-and-spec-ops-attack-islamic-state-forces-in-syria|title=U.S. warplanes support Turkish tanks attacking Islamic State forces in Syria|author=Susan Fraser; Philip Issa|work=Military Times|date=24 August 2016}}</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/el_sarkis/status/778286244371566592</ref><br/> |
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{{flagicon image|Flag of the Sham Legion.svg}} [[Sham Legion]]<ref name="first village">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-led-forces-capture-first-village-northern-syria/|title=Turkish-led forces capture first village in northern Syria|work=al-Masdar News|date=24 August 2016}}</ref> |
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| units2 = Unknown |
| units2 = Unknown |
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| strength1 = {{flagicon|Turkey}} 500 soldiers<ref name=watan>{{cite web|url=http://alwatan.sy/archives/70016|title=With the launch of the third phase of Euphrates Shield, American advisors making their ranks|work=Al-Watan|date=18 September 2016}}</ref><br>{{flagicon|Syrian opposition}} 1,500 rebels<ref name=watan/><br>{{flagicon|USA}} 40 military advisors<ref name=watan/> |
| strength1 = {{flagicon|Turkey}} 500 soldiers<ref name=watan>{{cite web|url=http://alwatan.sy/archives/70016|title=With the launch of the third phase of Euphrates Shield, American advisors making their ranks|work=Al-Watan|date=18 September 2016}}</ref><br>{{flagicon|Syrian opposition}} 1,500 rebels<ref name=watan/><br>{{flagicon|USA}} 40 military advisors<ref name=watan/> |
Revision as of 18:01, 20 September 2016
2016 al-Bab offensive | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Turkish military intervention in the Syria | |||||||
Map of the wider Turkish-led operations in northern Aleppo | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Turkey | Islamic State | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Lt. Gen. Zekai Aksakallı[2] (Operations chief commander) Lt. Gen. İsmail Metin Temel[3][4] (Second Army commander) Col. Ahmed Othman[5] (Sultan Murad Division commander) Fehim İsa[6] (Sultan Murad Division commander) Ali Şeyh Salih[7] (Sultan Murad Division commander) Mohammad Abu Ibrahim[8] Mustafa Sejari[8] (Al-Moutasem Brigade political leader) Abu Mohammed Kafr Zita[9] (Liberation Brigade commander) Abdel Karim Alyato[10] † (13th Division commander) Mahmoud Abu Hamza (Liwa Ahfad Saladin commander)[11] Capt. Abdel Salam Abdel Razaq (Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki commander)[11] | Unknown | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Liwa Ahfad Saladin[11] | Unknown | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
500 soldiers[26] 1,500 rebels[26] 40 military advisors[26] | Unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
5 rebels killed (per Turkey; 16 Sep.)[27] | 5 killed (Turkish claim)[27] |
The al-Bab offensive is a military offensive as the third phase of Operation Euphrates Shield launched by the Turkish Armed Forces and factions from the Free Syrian Army and allied groups, with the goal of capturing the city of al-Bab located north of Aleppo.
Preparations
In early September 2016, rebel and Turkish forces reached within 20 kilometers of al-Bab after capturing a large area of territory from al-Rai to Jarabulus from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The rebels then announced their goal of capturing al-Bab.[11]
Two days later, ISIL evacuated its headquarters in al-Bab and dozens of vehicles carrying militants and weapons drove to the town of Khafsa to the east.[31]
On 14 September, a large number of rebels, Turkish troops and military vehicles gathered north of al-Bab as the Turkish Air Force and artillery bombed ISIL positions near the city.[32]
The offensive
On 16 September, the Turkish Armed Forces and FSA factions officially announced the beginning of the third phase of Operation Euphrates Shield. The FSA vowed to continue until they reach the government-held Kuweires Military Airbase. Dozens of US special forces would also support the operation.[33] On 17 September, a pro-Syrian opposition media had claimed the Turkish-backed rebels had captured the Tal Homs hilltop near al-Rai.[34] On the same day, fighters of ISIL started evacuating their families from al-Bab.[35]
On 18 September, Turkish-backed rebels captured six villages. Meanwhile, the ISIL-affiliated Amaq News Agency claimed that around 60 rebels were killed in Jakkah and Talghar, mostly due to mines when they rushed through these areas.[29] Amaq also claimed that ISIL had destroyed a Turkish tank near Jakkah using a guided missile.[30] By 19 September, the number of villages captured by Turkish-backed rebels had risen to nine.[1] On 20 September, ISIL reportedly recaptured four villages.[36]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Factions continue the third phase of the military operations and control 9 villages since its start". SOHR. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
- ^ Turkish Special Forces: From stopping a coup to the frontline of the ISIL fight Hürriyet Daily News, 24 August 2016.
- ^ Nick Tattersall; Humeyra Pamuk (26 August 2016). "Turkey signals no quick end to Syria incursion as truck bomb kills police". Reuters.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Korgeneral İsmail Metin Temel Cerablus'ta". Hürriyet Daily News. 26 August 2016.
- ^ "Turkish Forces and Rebels Storm Into Syria, Taking IS Stronghold of Jarablus". VOA. 24 August 2016.
- ^ "SULTAN MURAT TÜMENİ KOMUTANI FEHİM İSA TATHAMUS TÜRKMEN KÖYÜNÜN DEAŞ TERÖR ÖRGÜTÜNDEN TEMİZLENDİĞİNİ AÇIKLADI". 24 August 2016.
- ^ "Sultan Murat Tugayları: Önce Çobanbey ardından Menbiç'e ilerleyeceğiz". 25 August 2016.
- ^ a b c Albin Szakola (25 August 2016). "Turkey-backed rebels aim for key ISIS-held town". NOW.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Tastekin
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "FSA 13th brigade field commander killed in clashes with IS north Aleppo". Stork on Twitter. 18 September 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Turkish-backed FSA rebels set their sights on last IS Aleppo stronghold after border victory". Syria:direct. 5 September 2016.
- ^ "LIVE: Turkish military, coalition forces launch 'Euphrates Shield' operation in Jarablus". Hürriyet Daily News. 24 August 2016.
- ^ Christoph Ehrhardt (26 August 2016). "Krieg in Syrien - Die Trennlinien verschwimmen". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German).
- ^ "New rebel group formed in Idlib". AMN. 20 September 2016.
- ^ "August 24, 2016". Daesh Daily. 25 August 2016.
- ^ "Mountain Hawks Brigade withdraw from Euphrates Shield and head to Aleppo". ARA News. 17 September 2016.
- ^ http://qasioun.net/en/news/show/37188/Ahrar_Al_Sharqya_Withdraw_From_Euphrates_Shield_As_They_Refuse_The_US_Forces_Interfere_To_Rai_Video
- ^ "Syria à la Carte: Turkish Invasion Highlights Rapidly Shifting Alliances-Maximilian Popp and Christoph Reuter". JK Alternative Viewpoint. 31 August 2016.
- ^ Caleb Weiss (29 August 2016). "Two US-backed groups clash in northern Syria". The Long War Journal.
- ^ Serhat Erkmen (1 September 2016). "Analiz: Fırat Kalkanı'nda bir haftalık bilanço". DW.
- ^ "تعزية الفصائل العسكرية باستشهاد القائد العسكري للقوة المركزية في الفرقة13". Fastaqim Union on Twitter. 18 September 2016.
- ^ "فرقة حلب الأولى - The first band of Aleppo". First Division of Aleppo on Facebook. 18 September 2016.
- ^ a b Susan Fraser; Philip Issa (24 August 2016). "U.S. warplanes support Turkish tanks attacking Islamic State forces in Syria". Military Times.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ https://twitter.com/el_sarkis/status/778286244371566592
- ^ "Turkish-led forces capture first village in northern Syria". al-Masdar News. 24 August 2016.
- ^ a b c "With the launch of the third phase of Euphrates Shield, American advisors making their ranks". Al-Watan. 18 September 2016.
- ^ a b Turkish-backed rebels push south in north Syria: Turkish army
- ^ الفصائل المدعمة بالدبابات التركية تسيطر على 5 قرى خلال الـ 24 ساعة الفائتة
- ^ a b "60 FSA fighters killed as they wander into ISIS minefield in northern Aleppo". Almasdar News. 18 September 2016.
- ^ a b "ISIS destroys another Turkish tank in northern Syria". Almasdar News. 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Islamic State evacuating headquarters in Syria's al-Bab". ARA News. 8 September 2016.
- ^ "Turkish-backed Euphrates Shield factions preparing to storm al-Bab". ARA News. 15 September 2016.
- ^ "Syrian opposition progressing third stage to shield the Euphrates". Al-Jazeera. 17 September 2016.
- ^ "[Breaking] Turkish-backed rebels begin Al-Bab offensive in northern Aleppo". Almasdar News. 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Islamic State jihadis move their families from al-Bab to Raqqa". ARA News. 17 September 2016.
- ^ ISIS recaptures host of villages from Turkey-backed militants in northern Syria