YPG/PKK attack injures civilian in NW Syria

By Cem Genco

AFRIN, Syria (AA) - At least one civilian was injured in a YPG/PKK terrorist attack in northwestern Syria, security officials said Thursday.

Terrorists attacked a car carrying a Syrian family of three, including a child, near Jinderes town in Afrin.

The family was traveling to Deir Ballut village, which was cleared of terrorists during Turkey's ongoing operation in the Afrin region.

The woman who was injured in the attack was taken to Turkey's bordering city of Hatay by Turkish troops for treatment.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the U.S. and the EU. In its over three-decade-long terror campaign against Turkey, more than 40,000 people have been killed.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, 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 to protect Syrians from oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

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