Military, Hampered By Purge, Gets Bogged Down In Northern Syria

The ongoing Turkish military offensive to capture the city of al-Bab, in Syria's Aleppo governorate near the Turkish border, from Islamic State militants has stalled, reports Agence France-Presse.

Ankara launched Operation Euphrates Shield in August and saw initial success as the military defeated ISIS fighters in a succession of border towns, including Jarabulus.

At least 48 Turkish troops have been killed so far, the majority in al-Bab, where fighting began on Dec. 10,...