Turkish military, Free Syrian Army free another village

By Levent Tok and Selen Temizer

AZAZ, Syria (AA)- Turkish and Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces liberated another northwestern Syrian village from PYD/PKK terrorists on Tuesday, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground.

Operation Olive Branch cleared PYD/PKK terrorists from the village of Omar Simo in Afrin, Syria.

Including Omar Simo, to date Turkish forces and the FSA have liberated a total of 52 zones, including 34 villages and 14 strategic mountains or hills.

Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and 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 cruelty and oppression.

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, the military said.

The military has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012 when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without a fight.