ISIS defeated in Al-Bab, Syria
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BEIRUT: (APP) Turkish-backed Syrian rebels announced on Thursday they had taken full control of Al-Bab from the Islamic State group, marking a key defeat for the militants after weeks of heavy fighting.
The town of Al-Bab, just 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of the Turkish border, was the last IS stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo.
"We are announcing Al-Bab completely liberated, and we are now clearing mines from the residential neighbourhoods," said Ahmad Othman, a rebel commander.
"After hours of fighting, we chased out the last remaining IS rank and file that were collapsing after the fierce shelling of their positions," he added.
