UPDATE - Turkey, Free Syrian Army free 3 more villages in Afrin

UPDATES WITH 2 ADDITIONAL VILLAGES LIBERATED; UPDATED HEADLINE, DECK

By Burak Karacaoglu, Levent Tok and Esref Musa

IDLIB, Syria / ANKARA, Turkey (AA) - Turkish and Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces on Thursday liberated three more villages from YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists as part of their ongoing operation in Afrin, northwestern Syria.

The village of Tal Dilor in Jinderes, southwest Afrin was cleared of terrorists, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground.

The villages of Ali Raju and Miqdad in Bulbul, northern Afrin, were also liberated, said another correspondent.****

Since the launch of the operation on Jan. 20, the Turkish military and the FSA liberated 94 targets -- including one district center -- plus 66 villages, 20 strategic mountains and hills, and one YPG/PKK-Daesh base.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove 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 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.