UPDATE - Turkey, FSA clear 13 more villages in Afrin

UPDATES WITH MORE VILLAGES, AIRPORT CLEARED, REVISED HEADLINE

By Adham Kako and Eshref Musa

AFRIN/ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army (FSA) liberated a total of 13 more villages in Syria's northwestern Afrin region as of Sunday.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, Turkish troops and the FSA cleared the villages of Qeretepe and Qastel Kisk in Sheran, northeast of the city of Afrin, as well as the villages of Khalidiah and Jalbul near the region's center, and the village of Ka'n Kurk in the Jindires district.

Later on Sunday, eight more villages – Khujamanli, Savan Kabir, and Chencheylan in the northwestern Rajo district, Tallaf and Qujaman in the southwestern Jinderes district, Sulqli and Alibey in the northern Bulbul district, and Kawkabah near Afrin’s center -- were cleared of terrorists.

A strategic airport called Bablite, located between Jinderes and Afrin, was also liberated from terrorists.

Since the beginning of the operation, Turkish and Free Syrian Army forces have liberated 185 locations, including five town centers, 148 villages, and 31 strategic areas.

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" is being taken to not harm civilians.