By Ahmet Sertan Usul
ANKARA (AA) – Two Turkish soldiers have been martyred in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region, during a sweep and clear mission, according to the Turkish army Tuesday.
The Turkish General Staff said that an improvised explosive device went off Monday as Turkish troops were clearing an area liberated from YGP/PKK terrorists as part of Operation Olive Branch.
Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to remove terrorist groups from Afrin, northwestern Syria amid growing threats from the region.
On March 18, Turkish-backed troops liberated the town center of Afrin, followed by security sweeps for mines, improvised explosive devices, and terrorist hideouts.
Afrin region has been a major hideout for the terrorist YPG/PKK group since 2012.