22 February 2018•Update: 22 February 2018
By Cankut Tasdan
ANKARA
At least 19 people were held in Turkey on Thursday over an online smear campaign against Turkey's counter-terrorist military operation in northwestern Syria, according to security sources.
In early morning raids in capital Ankara, arrests were made of 11 of 18 suspects sought for taking part in the campaign, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Counter-terrorism units are hunting for the remaining seven suspects, the sources added.
Another operation was conducted in southeastern province of Sanliurfa where gendarmerie forces rounded up eight people for terror propaganda, the security sources said.
One unauthorized gun, one bayonet, and some digital materials and organizational documents were confiscated during the searches of the houses of the suspects, the sources added.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear the PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists from Afrin in 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 protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.
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.
