Turkish army 'neutralizes' over 550 terrorists in Afrin

By Ozcan Yildirim

ANKARA (AA) - A total of 557 PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists have been "neutralized" since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in northwestern Afrin region of Syria, Turkish military said on Sunday.

The military generally uses the term "neutralize" to signify that the targets were killed.

According to a statement issued by the Turkish General Staff, the army “neutralized” 73 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists alone on Sunday.

The statement said 13 Turkish jets safely returned to their bases after destroying 20 targets -- used as weapon pits, shelters, and ammunition depots by the PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Deash terrorist groups.

It added two Turkish soldiers were wounded with no life threatening injuries in Sunday’s clashes with terrorists.

A member of the Free Syrian Army was also martyred and four others sustained injuries, according to the statement.

Operation Olive Branch is "successfully continuing as planned," it added.

The military asserted that it was showing utmost care in order not to harm any civilians during the operation.

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

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect the Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

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

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.