UPDATE - PYD/PKK rockets target civilians in Turkey’s south

UPDATES NUMBER OF ROCKETS; CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Erdal Turkoglu and Ridvan Korkulutas

HATAY/KILIS, Turkey (AA) - Three rockets fired by PYD/PKK terrorists from Syria hit Turkey’s border provinces of Kilis and Hatay on Tuesday amid the ongoing Operation Olive Branch.

One rocket landed in an olive grove in the Sih Mehmet neighborhood of Kilis, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent on the ground.

No casualties were reported in the incident.

Another two rockets landed in an empty area in Bolunmez neighborhood of Hatay’s Reyhanli district. Again, no casualties were reported in the incident.

Turkish forces immediately responded to the attack with Firtina howitzers.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect the Syrian people from the 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 decisions, self-defense rights under the UN Charter and respect for Syria's territorial integrity.

Since the beginning of the operation, 20 rockets have hit Kilis, killing two civilians and injuring 21 others.