PYD/PKK used Russian-made missile in Turkey attack

By Erdinc Aksoy

HATAY, Turkey

Rockets that were fired Wednesday by PYD/PKK terrorists from the Afrin district in Syria's north were Russian-made, Turkish military sources told Anadolu Agency.

One of the rockets, which landed in the Kirikhan district of Hatay province near the Turkey-Syria border, was a Russian-made anti-tank missile 9M113 Konkurs, the sources -- who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media -- said on Thursday.

Pieces of the missile were taken to Hatay for a more detailed investigation.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.

According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch aims to establish security and stability along Turkish 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.

Since the beginning of the operation, five civilians have been killed, and 73 others, including children, have been injured in rocket attacks by PYD/PKK terrorists on Turkey's border provinces of Kilis and Hatay. A total of 52 rockets have been fired from Syria's northwestern Afrin region.