Turkish airstrikes leave 13 civilians dead in Syria’s Afrin

Turkish airstrikes have claimed the lives of more than a dozen civilians in Syria’s northwestern region of Afrin as Ankara is continuing its cross-border military operation against the purported positions of US-backed militants from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) there.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that 13 civilians, including two children and three women, lost their lives on Monday when Turkish military aircraft bombarded Jindires town, located 20.9 kilometers southwest of Afrin. 

The Britain-based monitor added the air raids also left scores of people injured, noting that the death toll is expected to rise as some of the wounded victims are in critical condition. 

The Observatory further noted that a total of 165 civilians, including 29 children and 24 women, have been killed ever since the Turkish military launched an offensive in northwestern Syria on January 20.

Meanwhile, the Turkish military said in a statement that at least 2,777 YPG militants have been “neutralized” since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in Syria.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag also said Turkish forces are now in control of half of Afrin region.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Bozdag said 702 square kilometers of the total 1,920 are now under the Turkish military's control.

“In Operation Olive Branch, 112 villages, 30 critical positions and a total of 142 spots have been captured so far,” the senior Turkish official pointed out.

SS