Burcu Arik
February 21, 2018•Update: February 21, 2018
By Seyhan Kirici
BALIKESIR, Turkey
At least four people have been arrested in northwestern Turkey for allegedly taking part in an online smear campaign against Turkey's military operation in northwestern Syria, according to the local governor.
The Balikesir Governor's Office said on Wednesday that two of the suspects were apprehended in coordinated raids.
Later, Turkish police arrested two more suspects for allegedly making terror propaganda on behalf of far-left terrorist groups such as DHKP-C, THKP/C, and TKP/ML.
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.
