Afrin, Syria

A total of 1,439 People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants have been “neutralized” since the launch of “Operation Olive Branch” in Syria’s northwestern Afrin district, the military said on Feb. 13.

The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality has decided to change the name of a street in front of the United States Embassy to “Olive Branch,” which is the name of Turkey’s military operation in the Afrin province of Syria.

A total of 1,369 Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) have been “neutralized” since the launch of Turkey’s “Operation Olive Branch” in the northern Syrian district of Afrin, the Turkish military stated on Feb. 12.

The military operation into Afrin against People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants intensified on Feb. 11, one day after the deadliest attack since “Operation Olive Branch” began, as the Turkish Chief of General Staff paid a visit to the southern province of Hatay to inspect troops taking part in the operation.

Istanbul University has withdrawn its decision to suspend Turkish Medical Association (TTB) head Prof. Dr. Raşit Tükel and another top member, who were detained after denouncing Ankara’s ongoing military operation in Afrin and then released on Feb. 5.

Turkish soldiers are advancing slowly in Syria’s Afrin district to avoid harming civilians in the area, according to Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) head Ali Erbaş.

At least 1,266 People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants have been “neutralized” since the beginning of “Operation Olive Branch” in Syria’s Afrin district, the Turkish General Staff said on Feb. 11.

Five Turkish soldiers were killed in “Operation Olive Branch” carried out by the Turkish army in Syria’s Afrin district on Feb. 10, a separate military statement said in two separate statements on the same day.

 A Turkish army helicopter was shot down by Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters near the north Syrian town of Afrin, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday and the Turkish military said two soldiers on board the aircraft died, according to Reuters. 

YPG sources separately confirmed the downing of the helicopter.

At least 1,141 People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants have been “neutralized” since the beginning of Turkey’s “Operation Olive Branch” in Syria’s Afrin, the Turkish General Staff said on Feb. 10.