Turkish military, FSA liberate 3 more villages in Afrin

By Said İbicioglu and Levent Tok

AFRIN, Syria/ ISTANBUL (AA) – The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Saturday liberated three more villages in northwestern Syria's Afrin region from YPG/PKK terrorists.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, the villages of Babak Ushagi, Qorta, and Qasha in Bulbul, northwestern Afrin were cleared of terrorists by the ongoing Operation Olive Branch.

Since the beginning of the operation, the Turkish military and Free Syrian Army have liberated 167 locations, including five town centers, 131 villages, 31 strategic areas, and one YPG/PKK base.

On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish-backed troops had surrounded the Afrin city center and were ready to enter at any moment.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.

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 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 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 "utmost care" was being taken to not harm civilians.