Over 1,400 terrorists neutralized in Afrin operation

A total of 1,439 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists have been "neutralized" since the launch of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region, the military said on Tuesday.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said Turkish Armed Forces' overnight airstrikes neutralized 70 terrorists on Monday.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

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, it said.