Turkish military, Free Syrian Army free another village

By Esref Musa and Burak Karacaoglu

IDLIB, Syria (AA) - Turkish soldiers and Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters liberated a village in western Afrin from PYD/PKK terrorists during ongoing Operation Olive Branch in northwestern Syria on Saturday, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground.

The village of Deir Ballut in Jandaris, western Afrin, was cleared of all PYD/PKK terrorists.

Since the operation began, Turkish forces and the FSA have liberated a total of 47 zones, including 30 villages and 13 strategic mountains or hills.

Turkey on Jan. 20 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 Turkey’s borders and the region as well as protect Syrian people 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, the military said.

The military has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being shown to avoid harming 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.