Syria's Dabiq under full control of Turkish-backed rebels

The Syrian village of Dabiq is under the full control of Turkish-backed rebels after being captured from ISIL, the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a news conference with his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates.

"The target is to continue towards al-Bab and liberate Manbij area completely from ISIL terrorists. The village of Dabiq in Syria was cleared of Daesh as part of the operation," the foreign minister said.

Cavusoglu also said that a planned operation to drive the jihadists out of the Iraqi city of Mosul should begin with the Iraqi army and local forces, not Shi'ite militias.

He said Turkey reserved the right to defend itself against any threats to its security emanating from the operation, Reuters reports.