Turkish troops, FSA clear key village in Syria's Afrin

IDLIB/ANKARA

Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Wednesday cleared all terrorists from Kafr Jana village in Syria's northwestern region of Afrin, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents in the field.

The liberated Kafr Jana village in the Sharan district is said to be the last large residential area apart from the Afrin district center.

Control of the Kafr Jana village is important due to it being one of PYD/PKK’s major defense lines on the eastern wing, which leads to Afrin from the northeast.

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 151 locations, including four town centers, 121 villages, 30 strategic areas, and one YPG/PKK base.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation, which was launched to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin, 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.

Both the military and Turkish authorities have repeatedly said that the operation targets only terrorist elements and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming any civilians.

Reporting by Esref Musa:Writing by Kubra Chohan