(VOVworld) - 48 Islamic State militants were killed on Monday by Turkish armed forces in the northern Syrian town of Al-Bab. Turkish-led air and ground operations targeted ISIS command centers, military bases, and vehicles.

Pro-Syrian government forces patrol in Al-bab town. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

In another development, Iraqi special forces on Monday expelled ISIS militants from another eastern district of Mosul, just a day after the militants had been driven to the western bank of the Tigris river. Iraqi troops have approached the Tigris, which divides Mosul, and plans to cross the river and retake ISIS-controlled west Mosul.