Turkish forces, FSA celebrate capture of Mount Bursaya

By Levent Tok, Omer Koparan and Adham Kako

AFRIN/AZAZ, Syria (AA) - Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army units (FSA) on Sunday celebrated the capture of strategic Mount Bursaya in northern Syria by unfurling flags of Turkey and the FSA.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the strategic peak was captured by the Turkish military and FSA forces at around 2.30 p.m. local time (1130GMT).

The capture came after Turkish forces and the FSA fighters under the Turkish-led Operation Olive Branch advanced to the peak from the northwestern Syrian city of Azaz.

Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground imaged the Turkish military and FSA's celebrating the successful operation.

The terrorist PYD/PKK has used Mount Bursaya to target civilians in the center of Turkey’s Kilis province and Syria’s Azaz district through mortar shells, artillery, and missiles.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to rid Afrin, northwestern Syria of PYD/PKK and Daesh 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.