What's at stake in Syria
Al-Bab is the current focal point of complicated, interwoven developments unfolding in northern Syria.
ARIMA, Syria — As three contentious forces are about to converge at the critical city of al-Bab in Syria, Turkey is stirring up conflicts and already setting its sights on the next prize: Manbij.
The Turkish army is currently at the gates of al-Bab, battling Islamic State (IS) forces. The Syrian army is 6 miles to the south, and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are nearby to the east and west.
Al-Bab is an important area for the regime, given that the town of 70,000 people is only 24 miles northeast of Aleppo. The Gulf Times reported Dec. 9 that Syrian government troops have captured about 85% of the territory that opposition forces had controlled in eastern Aleppo.
Developments in al-Bab are linked to clashes in Aleppo. Turkey is reportedly transferring opposition fighters withdrawn from Damascus, Homs and Aleppo to the al-Bab region to form a paramilitary force under its control.
