February 21, 2018•Update: February 21, 2018
By Huseyin Yildiz and Erdal Turkoglu
HATAY, Turkey
YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorist groups shelled Turkey's border province of Hatay on Wednesday, according to a military source.
Two mortar shells fired from Afrin region of northern Syria landed in Hatay's Kirikhan district, the source who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.
No casualties were reported.
Turkey responded immediately, the source added.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.
Since the start of the operation, the terrorist groups carried out cross-border attacks on Turkey by firing rockets and mortar shells on civilian neighborhoods.
The Turkish General Staff has said the Afrin operation is aimed at establishing security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as protecting Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.
It said the operation was being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law.
The military also said "utmost care and sensitivity" was being put on avoiding harm to civilians.
Afrin has been a major hideout for the YPG/PKK since July 2012 when the Bashar al-Assad regime left the city to the terror group without a fight
