Turkish military, FSA free Syrian village from PYD/PKK

By Said Ibicioglu and Omer Koparan

AZAZ, Syria (AA) - Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Sunday completely liberated a Syrian village from PYD/PKK terrorists as part of the ongoing Operation Olive Branch in northwestern Afrin region of Syria.

On day ninth day of the operation, the Turkish forces and the FSA took full control of the Qestel Cindo village, located in south of Mount Bursaya, according to the FSA sources.

On Sunday, Turkish army and Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces captured the Mount Bursaya in Afrin, denying the PYD/PKK terrorist group a strategic peak it has used to launch attacks on civilians in both Turkey and Syria.

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

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 Turkish borders and the region as well as to 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.

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.