- 22.11.2024, Friday
- 00:14
Afrin operation
The Turkish armed Forces (TAF) and Free Syrian Army (FSA) were able on Sunday to seize a strategic airport between Jinderes and Afrin as they continue to make gains in the context of Turkey's ongoing Operation Olive Branch.
The Balbeit Airport carries a strategic significant as it is critically situated on the road between Jinderes and the Afrin city center.
A total of eight additional towns were cleared from terrorists from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)'s Syrian offshoot, the PYD, as the TAF and FSA continue to advance steadily towards Afrin's city center.
According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, Turkish troops and the FSA cleared the villages of Qeretepe and Qastel Kisk in Sheran, northeast of the city of Afrin, as well as the villages of Khalidiah and Jalbul near the region's center, and the village of Ka'n Kurk in the Jindires district.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, 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 the 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.
The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being taken to not harm civilians.
#Afrin
#Operation
