Turkish army chief hopes Afrin goals to be met soon

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkish army chief hopes the Turkish military, which uses the most modern weapons in its ongoing military operation in Syria’s Afrin while taking care civilians do not get hurt, will achieve its objectives soon. 

Speaking at the Turkish General Staff in Ankara on March 16, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar said the Turkish army launched its Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to secure its borders.

Akar emphasized that the operation was continuing successfully and added that Turkish Armed Forces, gendarmerie and police would continue their fight in a resolute way until the last terrorist gets eliminated from Turkey and its borders. 

Earlier on March 16, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said three-fourths of Afrin in northwestern Syria had been liberated during Operation Olive Branch. 

Speaking at a local congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in eastern Erzurum province, Erdoğan said Turkey had resolved the Afrin issue to a great extent. 

"Until now, we have established control in three-fourths of the Afrin region," he said.