Turkish military, FSA liberate 2 more villages in Afrin

By Burak Karacaoglu, Levent Tok and Selen Temizer

AZAZ, Syria/ANKARA (AA) - Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Friday liberated two more strategic villages in northwestern Syria's Afrin region from YPG/PKK terrorists.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, Shawarighat al-Jawz and Milkiyah villages in Afrin were cleared of terrorists during the ongoing Operation Olive Branch. Turkish troops and FSA fighters have now entered Afrin city's border.

Since the beginning of the operation, the Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army have liberated 159 locations, including five town centers, 124 villages, 30 strategic areas, and one YPG/PKK base.

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

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 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 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 "utmost care" was being taken to not harm civilians.