22 February 2018•Update: 23 February 2018
ANKARA
At least 1,829 PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists have been "neutralized" since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, northwestern Syria, said the Turkish General Staff on Thursday.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
In a statement, the military said Turkish Armed Forces had "neutralized" 49 more PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists overnight.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.
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 also said only terror targets are being destroyed and the "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.
Reporting by Ozcan Yildirim:Writing by Seyit Ahmet Aytac
