Second Turkish soldier martyred in Afrin operation

By Merve Yildizalp

ANKARA (AA) - A second Turkish soldier has been martyred during clashes with terrorists in Operation Olive Branch in Syria, the military said Tuesday.

According to a Turkish General Staff statement, the soldier was martyred in the town of Rajo in Syria's Afrin district during clashes with PKK, KCK, PYD/YPG and Daesh terrorists.

The General Staff conveyed condolences to the soldier's family and friends, as well as the Turkish nation.

Monday saw the first Turkish Armed Forces soldier martyred during clashes with the terrorist groups southeast of the Turkish village of Gulbaba, just across the border into Syria.

Turkey on Saturday launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.

According to the General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as 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 has also said it is putting the "utmost importance" on not harming any civilians.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012, when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.