Turkish soldiers, FSA stay on alert at Mt. Bursaya
Another hill with signal station in western Afrin has been captured
AFRIN, Syria
Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army units (FSA) continued to guard Mount Bursaya in northern Syria with “hands on triggers” on Tuesday after the strategically-important peak was captured Sunday.
According to Anadolu Agency correspondents in the region, Turkish soldiers and FSA units also captured a 1,000-meters high hill with a signal station in western Afrin.
After capturing Mt. Bursaya and the hill located 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) inside Syrian border, Turkish Armed Forces built posts to protect the captured areas.
Turkish soldiers and the FSA on Sunday celebrated the capture of Mt. Bursaya in northern Syria by unfurling flags of Turkey and the FSA on it.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the strategic peak was captured at around 2.30 p.m. local time (1130GMT).
The capture came after Turkish forces and the FSA fighters under the Turkish-led Operation Olive Branch advanced to the peak from the northwestern Syrian city of Azaz.
Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground photographed the Turkish military and FSA's celebrating the successful operation.
The terrorist PYD/PKK had used Mt. Bursaya to target civilians in the center of Turkey’s Kilis province and Syria’s Azaz district through mortar shells, artillery and missiles.
Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to rid Afrin of PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists.
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 oppression and cruelty.
Reporting by Sarp Ozer:Writing by Satuk Bugra Kutlugun
