What's really happening in Syria's al-Bab?
Everyone wants to know what's coming next in Syria — but it is hard enough to figure out what is going on right now.
![MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA Turkish forces and members of the Free Syrian Army are seen at the al Baza'a village on the outskirts of al-Bab town in Syria February 4, 2017. Picture Taken February 4, 2017. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RTX2ZOPF](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2017/02/RTX2ZOPF.jpg/RTX2ZOPF.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=wXSCtzq9)
Following Turkey’s path in the war against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria is extremely confusing. One cannot even rely on high-level officials’ statements regarding developments on the ground.
For instance, Gen. Hulusi Akar, the chief of general staff, is the highest Turkish official in uniform. As he was traveling Feb. 15 with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Qatar, Akar announced that the operation in al-Bab was over. He said Turkish forces and their Free Syrian Army (FSA) allies had retaken the town. There was every reason to believe the statement, since it was a military matter and the statement came from the highest military authority of the country.