Footage shows FSA combat terrorists in Jinderes

By Burak Karacaoglu, Esref Musa, Selen Temizer

ANKARA (AA) - Footage captured by Free Syrian Army (FSA) shows clashes in Jinderes, the last town center liberated from YPG/PKK terrorists in Afrin during Turkey's ongoing operation in northwestern Syria.

A GoPro video, obtained by Anadolu Agency, shows FSA in close combat with the terrorists to clear the streets and buildings in the town center, located in southwestern Afrin.

After the clashes ended, FSA fighters entered the buildings to ensure the terrorists had been eliminated. The footage shows bodies of the slain terrorists.

On Thursday, Jinderes became the fifth town center to be liberated from terrorists, following fierce street fighting.

The search for terrorists continues in the liberated neighbourhoods.

Afrin is made up of a district center and six town centers: Rajo, Bulbul, Shaykh al-Hadid, Jinderes, Sharan and Ma'betla. Turkish Armed Forces and FSA are yet to launch an operation in Ma'betla.

YPG/PKK stockpiled in Afrin's center fearing Turkey's operation. They also brought civilians to the the district center in order to use them as human shields.

Since the launch of Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20, the Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army have liberated 157 locations, including five town centers, 122 villages, 30 strategic areas, and one YPG/PKK base.

Turkey launched the operation to remove YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.