Turkish-backed rebels killed in north Syria attack

Activists have reported that at least 20 people, including Turkey-backed rebels, were killed in a bomb attack near the Atmeh border crossing claimed by IS militants.
1 min read
06 October, 2016
Turkey began operations inside Syria in late August [Getty]
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a bomb blast in northern Syria which has killed at least 29 Syrian rebel fighters. 

The suicide bomb attack took place at the Turkish border during a change of guard between rebels, close to the village of Atmeh.

The driver of a car rigged with explosives targetted Ankara-backed rebels who are fighting Islamic State group militants and Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.

The Turkish-supported "Euphrates Shield" campaign in northern Syria began late August, and saw border areas such as Jarablus cleared of IS fighters.

Last week Turkey's parliament approved a one-year extension to an existing mandate to deploy troops in Syria and Iraq, with Anadolu reporting that the mandate is set to last until October 2017.