According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 11 civilians, all members of the same family, were killed today when their home was destroyed in Turkish airstrikes against the central part of the northern Syrian city of al-Bab. The strikes were meant to support rebels advancing in the area.
The slain were members of an extended family, four couples and three children who all lived in connecting homes in the center of the town, and found their homes heavily bombarded both by shells and eventually the airstrikes.
The rebels claimed to have gained considerable territory, including capturing a hospital in the city. They reported more than 10 of their fighters killed, along with an unspecified number of ISIS fighters. They said ISIS snipers and roadside bombings were slowing their progress.
Turkey first arrived on the outskirts of al-Bab in November, and has been attacking it for months, claiming in recent weeks they were close to having the whole city under control. Despite these claims, the Observatory has estimated ISIS retains some 90% of the city.