Operation Olive Branch seizes four critical regions from PKK in northern Syria

Syria’s Rajo and Bulbul regions have been cleared of PYD/PKK terrorists as part of Operation Olive Branch, which is run by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and Free Syrian Army (FSA).

Four strategic hills in Raco and Sheikh Hadid were captured by TAF forces on Wednesday. Arms and munitions were seized, including heavy infantry machine guns.

Turkish Special Forces moved into the Afrin district on Wednesday for tactical and strategic purposes as part of the operation.

Operation Olive Branch was initiated on Jan. 20 in Afrin to establish security and stability, eliminate terrorists of PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh, and save locals from the terrorists’ 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.

The Turkish General Staff said it is putting the "utmost importance" on not harming any civilians.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012, when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.

Cross-border attacks by the PYD/PKK terror group in southern Turkey started as the Turkish army operation in Syria’s northwestern town of Afrin continues.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.