UPDATE- Over 1,350 terrorists neutralized in Syria operation

UPDATES WITH NUMBER OF CASUALTIES, INJURED TURKISH SOLDIERS, TERRORIST TARGETS

By Ozcan Yildirim and Mehmet Tosun

ANKARA (AA) - A total of 1,369 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists have been "neutralized" since the launch of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region, the military said on Monday.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said that Turkish Armed Forces' overnight airstrikes had destroyed 15 terrorist targets used for shelter as well as ammunition depots, and weapon pits.

According to information gathered from the region, 103 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists were neutralized on Sunday.

Later the Turkish General Staff released another statement, saying that 31 soldiers have been martyred and 143 others have been injured since the beginning of the operation.

The statement added that only one of the wounded soldiers faces a life-threatening injury.

"Since the beginning of the operation, fighter jets belonging to our Air Forces have destroyed 627 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terror targets," statement said.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists from Afrin in 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 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.