Rebel fighters gather during their advance towards the Islamic State-held city of al-Bab, northern Syria October 26, 2016.  REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Preparations are under way for a final operation by Turkish-backed rebels on the Islamic State-controlled city of al-Bab in northern Syria, Turkish deputy prime minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Monday. 

Speaking at a news conference after a cabinet meeting, Kurtulmus also said humanitarian aid shipments to Syria’s Aleppo city should not depend on the establishment of a ceasefire and called on the international community to help set up an aid convoy.