The statement noted that terrorist targets, including buildings and emplacements, have been hit in airstrikes after Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) determined their positions.

The warplanes used in the airstrikes have safely returned to their bases following the operation, the statement added.

The Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) captured Mount Darmak on Friday, a day after clearing the Bulbul town center in north of Syria's Afrin of YPG terrorists.

Operation Olive Branch was launched by Turkey on Jan. 20 to remove the PKK/PYD/YPG/KCK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and in the region as well as to protect Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights within international law, U.N. Security Council resolutions, its right to self-defense under the U.N. charter and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said, "utmost importance" is being placed on not harming any civilians.

The operation in Afrin – bordering Turkey's Hatay and Kilis provinces – was widely expected in the wake of Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria, which cleared Daesh terrorists from Turkey's border between Aug. 24, 2016, and March 2017.

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

Daily Sabah

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