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What's at stake in Syria

Al-Bab is the current focal point of complicated, interwoven developments unfolding in northern Syria.
Smoke rises from al-Bab city, northern Aleppo province, Syria October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RTX2QLVW

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.

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