UPDATE - PYD/PKK’s rocket fired from Syria hits southern Turkey

UPDATES WITH MORE ROCKET ATTACKS; CHANGES DECK

By Emrah Gokmen

KILIS, Turkey (AA) - A rocket fired by PYD/PKK terrorists in Syria hit Turkey’s border province of Kilis on Thursday amid Turkey’s ongoing operation in northwestern Afrin region.

The rocket, which landed in the city center, hit the outer wall of a building in Ekrem Cetin neighborhood, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent on the ground.

Mehmet Baloglu, the owner of the house, said he sensed the rocket strike while he was sleeping, but he didn’t know it hit his house.

Later, another rocket struck an office in Baris neighborhood of Kilis province.

No casualties were reported in the attacks.

Separately, a rocket was disposed under enhanced security measures in southern Hatay province.

It was among three rockets fired by the PYD/PKK terrorists that landed on a yard in Reyhanli district, but did not explode.

Since Wednesday, seven rockets fired by the terror group struck scores of houses in Reyhanli. Fatma Avlar, a teenage girl, was killed in the attacks from Syria-based PYD/PKK terrorists on Wednesday.

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

Since the onset of the operation, the PYD/PKK has carried out cross-border attacks on Turkey by firing rockets on civilian neighborhoods.

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 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.

* Erdal Turkoglu in Hatay contributed to the story.