UPDATE 2- Turkish military, FSA liberate 12 villages in Afrin

UPDATES WITH 4 MORE VILLAGES CLEARED; REVISED HEADLINE, DECK

By Adam Kakho, Levent Tok, Esref Musa, Salih Ibicioglu and Burak Karacaoglu

AFRIN/ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Monday liberated a total of 12 villages from YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists during Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents in the field, the village of Bassselhaya in Afrin’s district center, Iskan in the town of Jinderes, and Qizilbasha and Kutanli in Bulbul were cleared of YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists.

Earlier in the day, eight villages -- Jalama, Habol, Barlana, Al Qarah, Zindakan, Qila, Kumush Burj, and Qibar -- were also cleared of PKK/PYD and Daesh terrorists.

Since the launch of the operation, the Turkish military and FSA have liberated 201 locations, including five town centers, 163 villages, 33 strategic mountains and hills, and one YPG/PKK base.

According to Bekir Bozdag, deputy prime minister and government spokesperson, the operation has liberated a total of 1,102 square kilometers from the terrorist threat.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-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 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, it said.

The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.