Turkish forces hit 15 terrorist targets in Syria

ANKARA

Turkey’s armed forces said on Thursday they hit 15 terrorist targets in northern Syria as part of Operation Euphrates Shield.

The military said in a statement that Turkish army howitzers – known as Firtina (“storm” in Turkish) – had struck positions in the Kulliyah and Zavgar regions.

Its statement also said three villages -- Zavgar, Tel al-Aghbar and Kulliyah -- were cleared of terrorists by Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces.

Turkey's military said 213 hand-made explosive devices had been destroyed since the onset of the operation.

Operation Euphrates Shield, which was launched Aug. 24, aims at improving security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the terror threat along Turkey’s border through FSA fighters backed by Turkish armor, artillery and jets.

*Reporting by Baris Gundogan; Writing by Diyar Guldogan