Turkish military uses local products in Afrin operation

By Mustafa Calkaya

ANKARA (AA) - Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Ozlu has said Turkish Armed Forces are using locally-made vehicles, weapons, and ammunition in ongoing operation in Afrin in northwestern Syria.

Speaking at a workshop in Ankara on Tuesday, Ozlu said Turkey knows the country would not have a voice if it did not rely on its own locally produced products.

He vowed to use every means available to make local defense products for Turkish army.

Turkish Armed Forces are using locally-made vehicles, weapons, and ammunition, including howitzers and drones, in Turkey's ongoing Operation Olive Branch in Afrin.

T-155 Firtina (Storm), a locally-produced self-propelled howitzer, T-122 Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher (MRBL), T-129 ATAK helicopters are among locally-produced products being used in the operation.

About the Operation Olive Branch launched by Turkey on Jan. 20 to clear out PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, Ozlu praised the Turkish army’s success and offered condolences for martyred soldiers.

"Our soldiers are making history everyday in Operation Olive Branch,” he said, added Turkey would not allow any terrorist state to be founded on its border.

“Terrorists on Turkish borders are packs of hitman, hired killers and have no sacred values," he said, adding it was Turkey's duty to make the PYD/PKK terrorists pay the price.

According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch 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 decisions, self-defense rights under the UN Charter and respect for Syria's territorial integrity.