UPDATE- Turkish military, FSA liberate 8 villages in Afrin

UPDATES WITH 4 MORE VILLAGES CLEARED

By Adam Kakho, Levent Tok and Burak Karacaoglu

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

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the field, the villages -- including Jalama, Habol, Barlana, Al Qarah, Zindakan, Qila, Kumush Burj, Qibar -- were cleared of the PKK/PYD and Daesh terrorists.

Since the launch of the operation, Turkish military and the FSA liberated 197 locations including five town centers, 159 villages, 33 strategic mountains and hills and one YPG/PKK base.

According to Anadolu Agency’s correspondent, a total of 1,100 square kilometers were cleared from terror threat during the operation.

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.