Advertisement Continue reading the main storyBut as the antagonists get closer to Al Bab, the encirclement could become a flash point. If Islamic State fighters flee, pro- and antigovernment forces could find themselves facing each other across an unpredictable new front line. While Russia and Turkey have begun to coordinate air operations in northern Syria in some instances, there have been no reports of coordination on the ground. Al Bab is one of the largest urban areas in central northern Syria, after Aleppo, the city retaken from rebel groups by Syrian forces, with Russian help, nearly two months ago. That possibility has elevated the importance of Al Bab to all sides in the conflict, which is nearly six years old.

Source: New York Times February 06, 2017 21:50 UTC