Erdogan’s purge ‘robs military of expertise’ in fight for Syrian town

Some 67 Turkish troops have died in Ankara’s offensive in Syria
Some 67 Turkish troops have died in Ankara’s offensive in Syria
ADEM ALTAN/GETTY IMAGES

Turkey’s offensive against Islamic State in a strategic Syrian town has stalled because President Erdogan has purged the military of experienced leaders, according to a former officer.

Turkish special forces and tank units, together with Syrian rebels, reached the outskirts of al-Bab in early December after a lightning 20-mile advance from the border. Since then, however, they have struggled to progress.

Binali Yildirim, the Turkish prime minister, insisted this week that al-Bab had “largely been taken under control”. However, Isis controls most of the city and is repelling Turkish offences, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.

Ankara has said that 67 Turkish troops have died in Operation Euphrates Shield, including three in a botched Russian airstrike last Thursday.

The former officer,