Afrin: The Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Sunday captured a military base used by the terrorists belonging to People’s Protection Units (YPG)/ Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Syria’s Afrin region.
As part of the Turkey-led Operation Olive Branch, the FSA captured the base after a brief clash with the militants.
The military base extending up to three kilometres northeast of Afrin’s city centre has been cleared of terrorists as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Further, the Free Syria Army seized multiple military vehicles from the location.
The base was earlier used by the Bashar al-Assad regime until its withdrawal from the area.
Later, the base became an important military zone for the YPG/PKK terrorists.
On January 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, United Nations 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. (ANI)