Isik`s remarks came during a speech in parliament in Turkey`s capital Ankara, where he briefed deputies about ongoing Euphrates Shield Operation in northern Syria.
"Over 1,000 Daesh terrorists have been killed since the beginning of the Euphrates Shield operation," said the Turkish defense minister.
Meanwhile, the Turkish General Staff in a written statement said 90 Daesh targets had been destroyed in Al-Bab airstrikes, while 160 terrorists were killed during Thursday`s clashes.
Operation Euphrates Shield began in late August to improve security, support coalition forces and eliminate the terror threat along Turkey’s border using Free Syrian Army fighters backed by Turkish artillery and jets.
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10:52
Turkey`s military said that 14 Turkish soldiers were killed and more than 33 were wounded in clashes with Islamic State (IS) group militants near the northern Syrian town of al-Bab on Wednesday while 138 jihadists were killed in the fighting.
Turkish state television said that 10 Turkish soldiers were killed in three separate suicide attacks in the northern town of al-Bab, which Turkish troops and Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters are trying to recapture from Islamic State group jihadists.
The report by TRT television came hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the IS group was fighting "for dear life" in al-Bab, carrying out suicide bombings and attacks with improvised explosive devices.
16 Turkish soldiers killed in clashes with IS group in Syria - UPDATED
22 December 2016
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The death toll of Turkish soldiers in Syria`s Al-Bab has increased to 16, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on Thursday.
