Over 1,700 terrorists 'neutralized' in Turkey's ongoing Afrin operation
A total of 1,715 PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists have been "neutralized" since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's northwestern Afrin region, the Turkish military said on Tuesday.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 12:00 | 20 February 2018
- Modified Date: 11:44 | 20 February 2018
The number of terrorists "neutralized" in Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin has reached 1,715, the Turkish military said Tuesday.
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) uses the term "neutralized" in reference to terrorists captured dead or alive, or those who surrendered during the operations. However, the term is usually used for the terrorists who were killed in the operations.
In a statement, the military said that terrorist targets, including shelters and hideouts have been shelled from the border province of Kilis.
Operation Olive Branch was launched by Turkey on Jan. 20 to remove the PKK/PYD/YPG/KCK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and in the region as well as to protect Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.
The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights within international law, U.N. Security Council resolutions, its right to self-defense under the U.N. charter and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.
- Illegal border crossings into Europe fell 60 percent in 2017, EU says
- Macedonian president backs Turkey on fighting FETO
- France says Syria's Ghouta bombing violates humanitarian law
- Iran TV airs images of site of airplane crash that killed 65
- New air raids by regime on Syrian rebel enclave kill 50 civilians