823 militants ‘neutralized’ in Turkey’s Afrin operation

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

At least 823 People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants have been “neutralized” since the beginning of “Operation Olive Branch” in Syria’s Afrin district, the Turkish General Staff said Feb. 2.

Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralized” in their statements to imply the militants in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

In a statement, the military added that the Turkish Armed Forces had destroyed six targets and neutralized 12 militants in overnight airstrikes on Feb. 1.

“Operation Olive Branch” is “continuing successfully as planned,” the statement added.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched “Operation Olive Branch” to clear YPG militants from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

Air defense missile seized in Afrin

The Turkish Armed Forces seized a large number of weapons, ammunition and an SA-18 air defense missile belonging to YPG militants in Afrin.

According to a statement from the Turkish military, weapons and ammunition belonging to the YPG and ISIL were seized on Jan. 30-31 in Afrin.

In total, one SA-18 air defense missile, four Kalashnikovs, two machine guns, two RPG-7 rocket launchers, four missile launchers, a sniper rifle, three guns, one anti-tank mine, two hand grenades, three binoculars, two hand-held radios and a large amount of light weapon ammunition were seized.