Turkish army distributes aid to civilians in Syria

By Adham Kako

ANKARA (AA) –Turkish army commandos on Sunday distributed aid to civilians living in a Syrian village cleared of PYD/PKK terrorists during Turkey’s ongoing Operation Olive Branch.

The Turkish army provided civilians in Afrin, northwestern Syria, with shelter and humanitarian aid amid its ongoing counter-terrorist operation in the region.

A commando unit distributed food packages to the residents of Mamal Ushagi, a village in Rajo.

Meanwhile, medical personnel treated an elderly villager with a wounded leg.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

Since the beginning of the operation, 68 different strategic areas have been captured from the clutches of terrorists. They include a town center, 47 villages, three rural areas, and 17 strategic mountains or hills.

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

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 that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and the "utmost care" is being taken to avoid 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 a fight.