TAF: Two Turkish soldiers martyred in Afrin, Kilis

The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) said on Saturday that two soldiers were martyred in Afrin and Kilis, according to a statement by the General Staff.

One soldier was martyred in the aftermath of clashes in Afrin, in the context of the ongoing Operation Olive Branch, while the other martyr fell as a result of an attack by PKK/PYD terrorists on the border gate in Turkey’s southern city of Kilis, according to the statement.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 along with Free Syrian Army (FSA) to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria. A total of 897 PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists have been "neutralized" since the operation began.

According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist 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.

Since the start of the operation, the PYD/PKK has carried out cross-border attacks on Turkey by firing rockets on civilian neighborhoods, killing at least seven civilians and injuring 107 others including children.