Turkey’s intel agency MIT backs army in Afrin operation

Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) continues to provide support to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) during the ongoing operation in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region, according to a security source Monday.

On Saturday, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terror groups from Afrin.

The PYD/PKK is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terrorist group, which has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

In its cooperation with the army, MIT analyzes satellite images and images recorded by the organization personnel in Afrin, which is followed by a notification to Turkish troops in the area that helps them in hitting their targets.

Additionally, MIT personnel wiretap the communication network of the terrorist organization and inform the Turkish army about locations of terrorists, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

The MIT also cooperates with Turkish army on coordination and giving direction to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the operation.

The organization also updates targets for airstrikes and informs the military about the latest situation after the targets get destroyed.

Turkish jets on Saturday destroyed observation posts and many other targets of PYD/PKK terrorists in Afrin.

On Sunday, Turkish ground forces started to move into Syria’s Afrin with the Free Syrian Army.

Since the mid-1980s, the PKK has waged a wide-ranging terror campaign against the Turkish state in which an estimated 40,000 people have been killed.

More than 1,200 security personnel have been martyred since July 2015 when the group resumed its armed campaign against the Turkish state following a fragile cease-fire.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the Afrin operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect the Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

The operation was being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council’s decisions, self-defense rights under the UN charter and respect to Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said "utmost importance" was being given to not harm any civilian.

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.