3,530 terrorists 'neutralized' in Afrin operation
Turkish military continues to clear northwestern Syria's Afrin region of YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists
A member of Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish Armed Forces is seen as he stands guard at Rajo’s town center after they took control the Rajo’s town center from YPG/ PYD /PKK-Daesh terrorists during the Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region on March 13, 2018.
By Muhammed Boztepe
ANKARA
A total of 3,530 terrorists have been "neutralized" since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's northwestern Afrin region, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement on Friday morning.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-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 to 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, UN 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 that the "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.
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