Civilians, churches and all religious structures were unharmed during Turkey's Peace Spring Operation in northern syria, the country's Defense Ministry said Monday.
In a post shared on the ministry's official Twitter account, stills of churches, whose structures remain intact, can be clearly seen.
Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to clear northeastern Syria east of the Euphrates River of terrorists and create a safe zone along the border, thereby paving the way for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
Ankara has repeatedly expressed its determination to clear northern Syria of both Daesh/ISIS and YPG/PKK terrorist groups.
Ankara and Washington reached a deal on Oct. 17 to pause the operation for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the planned safe zone.
On Oct. 22, Turkey also reached an agreement with Russia on a 10-point plan to force the YPG/PKK to withdraw from the planned terror-free zone.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.
