Turkey, FSA liberate 2 more villages in NW Afrin

By Burak Karacaoglu

IDLIB, Syria/ANKARA (AA) – Turkish and Free Syrian Army forces on Monday liberated two more villages from terrorists in Syria’s Afrin region as part of the ongoing Operation Olive Branch, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents in the field.

The villages of Belusank and Alici in the Sharan region, located northwest of the city of Afrin, have been cleared of terrorists, Anadolu Agency correspondents in the field reported.

On Feb. 26, a crescent-shaped corridor, stretching along the northwestern Idlib province and Aleppo province’s Azaz district, cut off terrorists’ connection to Turkey’s border.

Since the launch of Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20, the Turkish military and the FSA have liberated 136 locations, including 104 villages, 22 strategic mountains and hills, and one YPG/PKK base.

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.