Turkey plans to expand ‘safe zone’ into northern Syria

Turkey's Defense Minister Fikri Isik has announced plans to expand the so-called security zone deeper into northern Syria, after rebels – backed by Turkey's tanks and air force as part of the ongoing Operation Euphrates Shield – achieved a “strategic and symbolic” victory against ISIL.

Commenting on the ongoing offensive in Syria, the country’s minister of defense said that Turkish forces now control a 90-kilometer (55 mile) stretch along the border, which extends 20km (12 miles) into Syria.

“Turkish Armed Forces intend to penetrate [the] terrorist stronghold even further, by 45 kilometers. We will create a security zone in northern Syria, and thus we will eliminate the threat to our territory,” Anadolu News cited Fikri Işık as saying.

Işık said that terrorists are now having a harder time shelling southern Turkish territory, praising the success of Operation Euphrates Shield.

The minister also confirmed that Turkish-backed rebel fighters seized the town of Dabiq from ISIL.