Kurdish-backed forces take parts of town, edge closer to Turkish border: Monitor

BEIRUT - Reuters

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The Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces have taken control of around 70 percent of Tal Rifaat, a town between Aleppo city and Azaz near the Turkish border, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights conflict monitor said on Feb. 15. 

A major offensive against Syrian militants, supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed forces, has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey’s border and Kurdish-backed forces have exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian militants to extend its presence along the frontier.