Turkish military, Free Syrian Army free another village in Afrin

By Burak Karacaoglu and Esref Musa

IDLIB, Syria (AA) – Turkish and Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces liberated Archali village from PYD/PKK terrorists in Afrin district's west on Tuesday.

Anadolu Agency correspondents in the region reported that the village was cleared off from PYD/PKK as part of the ongoing Operation Olive Branch.

The village marked the 53rd zone that was liberated from terrorists, including 35 villages and 14 strategic mountains or hills.

Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

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 terrorist cruelty and oppression.

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 has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and “utmost care ” is being taken to avoid 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 a fight.

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