UPDATE - Turkish army, FSA liberate 9 more villages in Afrin

UPDATES WITH LIBERATION OF 5 MORE VILLAGES

By Adham Kako

AFRIN, Syria/ANKARA, Turkey (AA) - The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Thursday liberated nine more villages in northwestern Syria from the control of YPG/PKK terrorists.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, the villages of Kafr Shil, Birka, Ali Jaro, Humuraju, Korzlu, Juqur, Naz, Zarkanli and Balal in Afrin were cleared of terrorists during the ongoing Operation Olive Branch.

Turkish troops and FSA forces have reached Afrin city's border.

Since the launch of the operation, the Turkish military and FSA have liberated 242 locations, including 202 villages and 40 strategic mountains and hills.

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 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 were being destroyed and the "utmost care" is being taken to not harm civilians.