Turkish helicopter shot down in Turkey's Hatay, two soldiers martyred

Turkey's president announced that a Turkish military helicopter was downed in northern Syria Saturday during Turkey's ongoing Afrin operation dubbed "Olive Branch" against PYD/PKK terror in northern Syria.

Speaking in Istanbul on Saturday, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan didn't mention by name the PYD/PKK terror group, but said that those responsible will pay for it.

The Turkish prime minister said the cause of the helicopter's crash was not yet clear and investigations were ongoing.

"We don't have exact evidence or document to determine that it went down with any outside interference," Binali Yıldırım told reporters in the western province of Muğla.

Yıldırım said that two Turkish soldiers were martyred in the incident.

Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.

According to Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect the Syrian people 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's decisions, 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 importance" is being given to not harm 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 putting up a fight.