The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) successfully captured Al-Bab, a crucial town in northern Syria, from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) after months of intense combat. This operation was part of Turkey's broader military initiative known as Operation Euphrates Shield, which started in August 2016. Turkish forces aimed to drive ISIL from its strongholds near the border, while simultaneously preventing the advance of Kurdish militia that Turkey regarded as a threat. The FSA and their Turkish allies launched a coordinated assault, battling ISIL's entrenched positions in urban and surrounding areas, which involved heavy artillery and aerial support from Turkey.The final assault led to the overwhelming of ISIL defenses, allowing the FSA to celebrate the liberation of Al-Bab. The town had been under ISIL control since 2014, making its capture a strategic blow to the self-proclaimed caliphate. Control of Al-Bab provided a critical foothold for Turkish forces and helped pave the way for potential future operations in the region. With the liberation, it was hoped that displaced civilians could begin to return home, furthering the goal of stabilizing northern Syria while countering the dual threats from both ISIL and Kurdish forces. The fallout from this capture influenced subsequent military strategies and led to changes in regional dynamics as international stakeholders vied for influence in post-conflict Syria.