More than 2,600 YPG militants ‘neutralized’ in Afrin op in Syria’s north: Military
ANKARA
Some 2,612 militants of the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants have been “neutralized” in Turkey’s ongoing cross-border operation into the northern Syrian district of Afrin, the Turkish military stated on March 4.
Turkey launched “Operation Olive Branch” on Jan. 20 along with elements of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to remove YPG militants from Afrin.
Turkey considers the YPG as a terror network due to its ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is listed as a terror organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation inside Syria aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as “protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.”
Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli stated on March 2 that 41 Turkish soldiers and 116 Free Syrian Army (FSA) militants have been killed since the start of “Operation Olive Branch.”
Another 119 have been wounded, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on March 3.
