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Turkish forces control all town centers in Afrin

Anadolu Agency WORLD
Published March 18,2018
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Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army on Sunday took control of all town centers in northwestern Syria's Afrin.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, the last town center Mabatli was liberated from terrorists by the Turkish troops.

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.