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Turkish president announces new push on Syria IS stronghold

Associated Press
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FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, file photo, activists in Syria's besieged Aleppo protest against the United Nations for what they say is its failure to lift the siege off their rebel-held area. A fragile cease-fire, brokered by the United States and Russia and now in its seventh day, has mostly held despite numerous violations. Banners read in Arabic: 'Hunger better than humiliation,' one banner read. 'X the UN'. (Modar Shekho via AP) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 file photo, smoke rises over Saif Al Dawla district, in Aleppo, Syria. Residents in the rebel-held districts of Aleppo have a reprieve from the incessant bombings by Syrian government warplanes and the promise of an end to the crippling siege that has left produce stalls bare. (AP Photo/ Manu Brabo, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, file photo, activists in Syria's besieged Aleppo protest against the United Nations for what they say is its failure to lift the siege off their rebel-held area. A fragile cease-fire, brokered by the United States and Russia and now in its seventh day, has mostly held despite numerous violations. Banners read in Arabic: 'Hunger better than humiliation,' one banner read. 'X the UN'. (Modar Shekho via AP) (The Associated Press)

Turkeys' president has announced a new push by Turkish forces and Syrian rebels aimed at capturing a town held by the Islamic State group.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the Syrian opposition forces, backed by Turkish troops and tanks, are determined to advance toward al-Bab to clear the region of terror threats.

The Turkish leader said on Monday that the offensive will last until the area "is no longer a threat" to Turkey.

Last month, Turkey for the first time sent tanks across the border into Syria to help rebels clear territory of IS militants and to contain the expansion of a Syrian Kurdish militia.

Erdogan's announcement comes as a fragile cease-fire, brokered by the United States and Russia and now in its seventh day, has mostly held despite numerous violations.