More than 20 of Turkish-backed Syrian rebels killed by ISIS landmines in Syria
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – An estimated 21 Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters were killed by landmines left by retreating Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northern Syria on Sunday, a conflict monitor reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on its Facebook page on Monday that it "was informed by reliable sources that no less than 50 rebels were killed or wounded by landmines in Turkman Mare' town 13km from al-Rai city," which left "21 confirmed dead, while the others have been wounded."
ISIS was reportedly retreating from an FSA advance when it planted these devices in a clear bid to slow the FSA.
The Observatory went on to point that this was the most significant loss suffered by these Turkish-backed FSA rebels to date. It did not mention if any Turkish military personnel were also killed.
Turkish Special Forces, tanks and jet fighters have been covering the FSA advance south of the Turkish border to clear it of ISIS militants since intervening in northern Syria on August 24.
The Observatory report came as the Turkish military also reported that, early on Monday, it had fired 301 cross-border artillery rounds at 63 ISIS targets in Syria, killing ISIS militants nearby and destroying rockets the militants were using to target the Turkish border-town of Kilis.
The Turkish military also said that 13 ISIS militants were killed in 11 airstrikes carried out by the US-led coalition.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on its Facebook page on Monday that it "was informed by reliable sources that no less than 50 rebels were killed or wounded by landmines in Turkman Mare' town 13km from al-Rai city," which left "21 confirmed dead, while the others have been wounded."
ISIS was reportedly retreating from an FSA advance when it planted these devices in a clear bid to slow the FSA.
The Observatory went on to point that this was the most significant loss suffered by these Turkish-backed FSA rebels to date. It did not mention if any Turkish military personnel were also killed.
Turkish Special Forces, tanks and jet fighters have been covering the FSA advance south of the Turkish border to clear it of ISIS militants since intervening in northern Syria on August 24.
The Observatory report came as the Turkish military also reported that, early on Monday, it had fired 301 cross-border artillery rounds at 63 ISIS targets in Syria, killing ISIS militants nearby and destroying rockets the militants were using to target the Turkish border-town of Kilis.
The Turkish military also said that 13 ISIS militants were killed in 11 airstrikes carried out by the US-led coalition.