Turkey’s Afrin op is half complete, says deputy PM

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesman Bekir Bozdağ said on Monday that half of the area within the scope of Turkey’s Olive Branch operation in Syria’s Afrin is now under the control of the Turkish military.

Bozdağ also revealed that 2,795 terrorists were “neutralized” since the onset of Turkey’s Afrin operation, which was launched on Jan. 20.

Additionally, Bozdağ also stated that the Turkish military, Free Syrian Army have so far liberated 142 locations, including 112 villages, and 30 critical points in Syria’s northwestern region.

Addressing Turkey's ongoing efforts in combatting Daesh, the Turkish deputy PM revealed that 4,043 Daesh terrorists, including 1,858 foreign suspects detained in Turkey between 2011 and 2018.

Operation Olive Branch was initiated on Jan. 20 in Afrin to establish security and stability, eliminate PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists, and save locals from their 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.

The military said it is putting the "utmost importance" on not harming any civilians.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012, when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.

Cross-border attacks by the PYD/PKK terror group in southern Turkey started as the Turkish army operation in Syria’s northwestern town of Afrin continues.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.