2 Turkish soldiers martyred, one injured in operations

By Baris Gundogdu and Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA

Two Turkish soldiers were martyred and one was wounded on Saturday during operations in Turkey and northwestern Syria, according to the Turkish military.

In a statement, the General Staff said that one soldier was martyred during Operation Olive Branch, a Turkish-led counter-terrorist operation in northwestern Syria.

Additionally, one soldier was martyred and another was injured in Semdinli in the southeastern Hakkari province in an attack by terror groups.

Separately, an airstrike in northern Iraq’s Hakurk region took place as the terrorist group PKK was preparing for attacks on Turkish patrols and bases in the region, said the military.

The airstrikes destroyed a shelter, a hideout, and weapons pits used by the terror group, it added.

According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s 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, it said.

The military has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.