Turkish soldier martyred in Turkey’s NW Syria operation

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) – A Turkish soldier was martyred in a mortar attack by PYD-YPG/PKK/KCK and Daesh terrorists in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region, the military said Friday.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said that the soldier was martyred in an attack in a region close to southern Afrin.

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 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 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.