Ankara: At least 3195 terrorists have been neutralised thus far by Turkish military during its pet project, Operation Olive Branch, claimed the nation.
According to the local Anadolu Agency, neutralised is a term often used by the national military to mean that the terrorist in question either surrendered and arrested, or were killed during combat.
A total of 3,195 terrorists have been "neutralized" since the start of #OperationOliveBranch in #Syria's northwestern #Afrin region, the Turkish General Staff said. pic.twitter.com/uAreJNXO84
— Operation Olive Branch (@olivebranch) March 10, 2018
Olive Branch was launched on Jan 20 in Afrin, Syria, to drive away the YPG/PKK and ISIS terrorists from the region.
According to the Turkish General Staff, through the operation, the country wants to stabilise its border and also protect Syrians from terrorists.
"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," Anadolu reported.
The Turkish military has also said that it is striking only terrorists and 'utmost' care is take to ensure no civilians are harmed during the course of the operation.
Image: twitter.com/olivebranch