UPDATE - Turkey, FSA liberate 4 more villages in NW Afrin

UPDTAES WITH 2 MORE VILLAGES CLEARED

By Burak Karacaoglu

IDLIB, Syria/ANKARA (AA) – Turkish and Free Syrian Army forces on Monday liberated four 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.

Later on Monday, the Khuraybah village in the Jinderes district and the "Gobelek" village in Sharan district were freed from terrorists.

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 144 locations, including 114 villages, 30 strategic areas, 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.