Turkey’s Afrin op enters second phase

The first phase of Operation Olive Branch, which was initiated on Jan. 20 and has been progressing in Syria’s northwestern Afrin horizontally and vertically, has been completed. The 120-kilometer-long Azaz-Deir Ballut line has been completely cleared of terror elements.

By clearing the points that posed threats for Turkey’s border cities of Kilis, Reyhanlı and Hassa, the operation successfully ended the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) terrorist organizations occupation of Jinderes, Dikmetas, Bulbul and Rajo.

The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) troops, which established four military bases within the Afrin region, now have the support of the Gendarmerie and Police Special Forces. In addition to these teams, mine detection and destruction equipment and target assessment equipment as well as arms and ammunition were supplied.

The first phase of Operation Olive Branch aimed at uniting Azaz and Idlib and breaking the strength of the terror group, which is trying to protecting its tunnels, towers and trenches in mountainous areas, is complete. Preparations for the second phase were initiated in February.

The TAF and intelligence units analyzed the path to Afrin city center from the districts of Sharan, Sheikh Hadid, Rajo, Jinderes, Meydanki, Mabedli and Meryemiyn. The Turkish army, which prepared a civilian priority operation plan by calculating all possible actions of terrorists, examined 250 villages and towns individually.

Within the scope of the second phase of the operation, the task distribution for the TAF, Free Syrian Army (FSA) units and new forces positioned along the route to Afrin city center has been completed. Some of the missile batteries positioned within the Turkish border have been transported to Afrin.

A 7,000-strong force of TAF and FSA forces has been established for residential operations and dispatched to the region.

Warplanes are striking the PKK's armories, supply lines and bases since Feb. 25 as part of the second phase of Operation Olive Branch.

The final checks to establish control in over 30 villages in the Rajo, Jinderes and Sheikh Hadid districts, which have been cleared of terror elements, have been delayed as a result of thick fog.

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.

A total of 2,295 YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists have been neutralized since the launch of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's northwestern Afrin region, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement on Thursday.

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.

Religious and cultural buildings, as well as ancient and archeologic remnants within the scope of the operation are not targeted by the Turkish army during the ongoing operation, the statement said.

The military said it is putting the "utmost importance" on not harming any civilians. The Turkish army also does not use weapons not permitted by international law or accords