Turkish army, FSA liberate 2 more villages in Afrin

By Esref Musa and Omer Koparan

IDLIB, Syria/ANKARA, Turkey (AA) - The Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Monday liberated two more villages in northwestern Syria from the control of PYD/PKK terrorists.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, the villages of Hantalli and Divan Tahtani, a hill and a strategic base in Afrin were cleared of terrorists during the ongoing Operation Olive Branch.

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

Since the beginning of the operation, 78 different strategic areas have been captured from the clutches of terrorists.

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 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 were being destroyed and the "utmost care" is being taken to not harm civilians.