3rd Day of Afrin Operation: FSA, YPG Clash in Azaz

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It has been reported that the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) crossed 7.5 kilometers into the border with the Free Syrian Army during the “Operation Olive Branch” launched by the TAF on Saturday (January 20) with airstrikes.

6 thousand 400 TAF soldiers participated

6,400 soldiers reportedly participated in the ground operation that started yesterday from Gülbaba village located on the border. Habertürk reported that the TAF and FSA covered 7.5 kilometers across the border. 

7:50 a.m.: Clash between YPG and FSA

Doğan News Agency reported that clash erupted between FSA and YPG in Azaz. Some groups from the FSA mobilized in Bursayye front, according to information provided by Ceysul Şimal, which is an FSA group.

SOHR: 11 civilians lost their lives

On the other hand, 11 civilians reportedly lost their lives in the airstrikes. UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) 11 civilians eight of whom were from the same family and five of whom were children lost their lives in the attack launched by Turkey.

Speaking to AFP, Observatory official Rami Abdel explained that the eight people were a family trying to flee Idlib.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that the reports about civilian killings are not true.

PUK: We’ll send reinforcements to Kurds in Afrin if requested

According to Sputnik news agency, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party member Mala Bahtiyar stated that they will send a negotiation committee to Ankara and said, “We prefer dialogue over war”.

In response to a question by a journalist, Bahtiyar said that they can send reinforcements to the Syrian Kurdish forces “if required and requested” to withstand the Turkish Armed Forces.

In his interview with Sputnik, Iran Kurdistan Freedom Party Chair Hüseyin Yezdanpena said, “Our party’s peshmerga are ready to be sent to Afrin if YPG requests”.

Concerning the military campaign, former Democratic Union Party (PYD) leader Salih Müslim said, “We have no other than chance than withstanding this horrible attack and protecting ourselves. (PT/TK)