Turkish martyr's widow hails securing of Afrin center

Following the liberation of Syria's Afrin town center from terrorists as part of Turkey-led Operation Olive Branch, the wife of a Turkish martyr hailed the victory.

"Thank God, they [Turkish and Free Syrian army] avenged my husband. He will rest in peace. My thanks for them," Lutfiye Dunca, the wife of 43-years old Mithat Dunca -- a Turkish soldier martyred in Turkey's ongoing operation in Afrin on Saturday.

Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army took control of the Afrin town center early on Sunday as part of Operation Olive Branch, which was launched on Jan. 20 to clear the area of YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists.

In video footage recorded by Turkish soldiers following the victory, a Turkish commander said: "This is a gift primarily to those who were martyred on March 18, and also for 46 [Turkish Armed Forces] personnel, as well as Free Syrian Army soldiers martyred in this operation, especially for specialized sergeant Sukru Unlu and Major Mithat Dunca."

Dunca succumbed to his wounds on Saturday after he was wounded on Thursday. Sukru Unlu was martyred on Feb. 24.

After taking complete control of Afrin town center, the Turkish troops formed a crescent in a square in the Afrin town center in as a celebration of the victory.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the Operation Olive Branch has aimed 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.