Allegations of Assad, PYD/YPG deal are propaganda: presidential spox

Turkey’s Presidential spokesman İbrahim Kalın slammed reports that Syria’s pro-Assad militia “Popular Forces” were due to enter Afrin, where Turkey is currently conducting Operation Olive Branch.

"It is clear that the news of the agreement between [Syrian] regime and the PYD/YPG is propaganda. However, this does not mean that there were no secret or dirty negotiations. Regardless of who does what, Operation Olive Branch will continue as planned and reach its aims," Kalın tweeted on Tuesday.

Assad regime's state-run news agency SANA reported on Monday that the “Popular Forces” militia was going to enter Afrin within a few hours.

The terrorist organization YPG/PKK-Daesh is said to have held talks with the Syrian regime after more than 70 different strategic areas were liberated during Turkey's Operation Olive Branch since its launch on Jan 20.

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.

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.