Turkey neutralises 3,055 terrorist in Syria

Ankara [Turkey], Mar 8 (ANI): Turkish forces neutralised 3,055 terrorists through Operation Olive Branch in Syria's north-west Afrin region , the Turkish General staff said in an official statement on Thursday.

The Turkish military is further conducting military search air-land operations.

The Operation Olive branch was launched on January 20 with an aim to capture or kill the terrorists along the border of Afrin.

The operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the adjoining region as well as to protect Syrians from oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

"The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's right-based on the International Law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defence rights under the UN Charter and respect for Syria's territorial integrity", the statement said.

The military further confirmed that only terror targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.

The Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and People's Protection Unit (YPG) are militant groups which claim to protect the Kurdish-inhabitated areas in northern Syria.

The PKK has been listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, European Union and United States. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI