Turkey shells Islamic State areas in Syria

Turkey shells Islamic State areas in Syria
Turkish military forces targeted IS-controlled areas in Syria on Monday.
1 min read
29 February, 2016
Turkey is part of the international US-led coalition fighting the militant group [Getty]

Turkey shelled Islamic State [IS] group positions in Syria on Monday, as part of a US led international coalition against the militant group.

Turkish forces fired 50 to 60 shells into targets in Syria’s northern Aleppo province, according to a local news agency.

The attack is the first in several weeks since the announced ceasefire.

IS have been targeted by Turkey in Syria and Iraq since a deadly suicide attack in January killed 11 people and injured others.

Syria’s ceasefire agreement does not include territory held by the Islamic State [IS] group and al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front, which together control more than half of Syria.

Russia, which has waged five months of intense airstrikes in support of Assad, said it had halted bombing in all areas covered by the truce.

But it has vowed to keep striking IS and al-Nusra and other "terrorist groups."

The Syrian opposition said it will stick to the truce agreement despite violations.

The cessation of hostilities has largely held despite the reports of violations since it went into effect.