Turkish army, FSA clear 7 more areas in NW Syria

By Burcu Calık

ANKARA

Turkish military and Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Saturday liberated seven more residential areas, including a strategic Rajo town, from YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists as part of the ongoing operation northwestern Syria, the military said.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said Ramadiyah and Hamelika villages of Jinderes district -- located southwest of Afrin -- Ali Bazan, Qariqin, and Shamanli villages of Sharan district -- located northeast of Afrin -- and Badinli village of Rajo district were freed on Saturday.

Rajo, located in northwest of Afrin, is the second town center liberated since the launch of the operation. Bulbul district was the first one.

The military also said that 82 terrorists have been killed in the region on Saturday, increasing the total number of terrorists killed since the beginning of the operation to 2,516.

Since Feb. 26, a crescent-shaped corridor stretching along northwestern Idlib province and Aleppo province’s Azaz district, has cut terrorists’ connection with Turkey’s border.

Since the launch of the operation on Jan. 20, Turkish military and the FSA liberated 127 locations including two district centers, 97 villages, 21 strategic mountains and hills and one YPG/PKK base.

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.