'Turkey to establish 12 military observation points in Syria's Idlib'

Turkey’s Presidential Spokesman İbrahim Kalın on Wednesday said that 12 military observation points would be established in Syria's Idlib.

İbrahim Kalın also told a news conference that Ankara remains optimistic, but cautious, regarding ties with the United States after last week's visit to Ankara by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

"Any step for benefit of PYD/PKK in Afrin will be counted as a terrorist act and those making them will be a legitimate target. The Republic of Turkey does what is needed for its national interest, it owes no explanation."

The U.S has supplied the PYD/YPG with more than 5,000 truckloads of weapons to allegedly use in the fight against Daesh, despite Ankara’s warnings that the fact they are the Syrian offshoots of the PKK terror organization.

Kalın said that the pro-Syrian regime convoy consisting of 40-50 vehicles trying to enter Afrin, were repelled by Turkish artillery fire.

Pro-regime groups, which on Tuesday tried to enter Syria’s Afrin to support YPG/PKK-Daesh against Turkey’s ongoing operation in the region, withdrew before reaching the city following a series of warning shots.

Turkey is not in direct talks with the Syrian regime, but its messages are being indirectly conveyed to Damascus, he added.

Turkish intelligence may contact the Syrian regime under "extraordinary conditions to solve certain issues."

Operation Olive Branch was initiated on Jan. 20 in Afrin to establish security and stability, eliminate terrorists of PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh, and save locals from the terrorists’ 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.

The military said it is putting the "utmost importance" on not harming any civilians.

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.

Cross-border attacks by the PYD/PKK terror group in southern Turkey started as the Turkish army operation in Syria’s northwestern town of Afrin continues.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.