Syrian War News Updates -- February 8, 2017

Reuters: Turkish-led forces advance into outskirts of Syrian city

Syrian rebels backed by the Turkish military have captured the outskirts of the Islamic State-held city of al-Bab in northern Syria, the Turkish government and rebel sources said on Wednesday.

The advance threatens an important IS stronghold, whose fall would deepen Turkish influence in an area of northern Syria where it has created a de facto buffer zone.

Syrian government forces have also advanced on al-Bab from the south, bringing them into close proximity with their Turkish and rebel enemies in one of the most complex battlefields of the six-year-old conflict.

But Turkey said international coordination was under way to prevent clashes with the Syrian forces.

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Syrian War News Updates -- February 8, 2017

Turkish, Rebel Fighters Seize Area Around Key Syrian Town -- VOA
Free Syrian Army surrounds al-Bab town in Islamic State fight -- UPI
Syrian rebels escalate battle against Deash in al-Bab -- Al Bawaba
Syrian opposition, government, Turkish forces continue to converge on al-Bab -- RUDAW
War on Daesh Rages On: Syrian Army, Turkish Troops Enter Outskirts of al-Bab -- Sputnik
Turkey to launch a new operation in Syrian city of Raqqa -- TRT
Turkey coordinating troop movements in Syria with Russia -- AP
Turkey 'Has Own Specific Tasks in Syria' - Russian Diplomat -- Sputnik
Syrian jets carry out deadly strikes on rebel-held Homs district -- Reuters
Syria conflict: Rebel-held Idlib hit by deadly air strikes -- BBC
Airstrikes on rebel-held Syrian district kill 9 civilians -- AP
Intense raids kill dozens in Syria's Idlib -- Al Jazeera
Syria's rebel groups descend into more infighting -- AP
Caucasus Emirate branch highlights fighters in Syria -- Threat Matrix
Russia sends Syria its largest missile delivery to date, US officials say -- FOX News
Family's return to rebuild Aleppo street points to Syria's future -- Reuters
Safe Zones in Syria -- Charles V. Pena, American Spectator
What would safe zones mean for the Syrian conflict? -- Al Jazeera