Turkey's Afrin operation: the latest updates
Turkey announced that it had launched Operation Olive Branch on January 20 to clear Syria's Afrin region of the YPG/PKK and Daesh, which Turkey considers a threat to its national security.
A member of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) helps an old man with walking difficulties at a checkpoint in Afrin, Syria after Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army (FSA) took complete control of northwestern Syria’s Afrin within the “Operation Olive Branch” on April 01, 2018.
On January 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch at 1400 GMT to clear Syria's Afrin region of the YPG/PKK, after months of warnings that it was preparing for the operation.
On March 18, the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) announced that they had cleared Afrin city centre of the YPG/PKK, on the 58th day of the operation.
“The message to terrorist organizations and to the whole world is clear: Turkey will continue to move forward with steady steps on the path of trust, stability, and justice,” Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in a message posted on Twitter.
The operation was launched days after the US announced the formation of a 30,000-strong Border Security Force made of YPG and Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF militants near Turkey's border in northern Syria.
A map showing areas held by various players in northwestern Syria where Turkey is conducting Operation Olive Branch against YPG/PKK and Daesh militants.
The announcement was met with alarm by Ankara, which the YPG is the Syrian branch of the PKK, that has been recognised as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the EU.
Turkey’s biggest security concern is the YPG carving out an autonomous territory near its southeastern border.
The US supports the SDF, a YPG-dominated group it founded in 2015, in northeast Syria. Afrin, in the northwest, has no such support from the US. However, several hundreds of Russian soldiers are based in the region.
TRT World has the latest on the operation:
April 11:
Day 81 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
12:03 GMT:
4.108 terrorists have been neutralised since the beginning of the operation.
08:29 GMT:
More than 162,000 Syrians have returned to terror-free regions in Syria following Turkish military-led Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch, said Turkey’s deputy director general of Migration Management.
08:01 GMT:
Turkey will open a new border crossing to the northwestern Syrian city of Afrin in May, Customs and Trade Minister Bulent Tufenkci says.
April 10:
Day 80 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
09:59 GMT:
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan described as "very wrong" the approach of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that claims to put the area back under the control of the Syrian regime.
Erdogan also added that 4,071 terrorists have 'neutralised' since the beginning of the operation.
April 9:
Day 79 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
18:15 GMT:
Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesman Bekir Bozdag says up until now, 102 mines, 739 hand-made explosives have been identified and destroyed in ongoing Operation Olive Branch.
Also, 4,044 terrorists have neutralised since the beginning of the operation.
The Turkish army will withdraw from Syria’s Afrin after a political settlement in the country is reached, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag says.
11:26 GMT:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had expressed hope that Ankara would return Afrin to Syrian regime control.
“[Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan has never said that Turkey wants to occupy Afrin. We always proceed from the fact that the easiest way to normalise the situation in Afrin now that Turkish representatives say that the main goals they’ve set there have been achieved would be to return the territory under their control to the Syrian government,” Lavrov said.
April 3:
Day 73 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
10:07 GMT:
Military police, made up of members of the Free Syrian Army, begin duty to enforce public security in Afrin.
April 2:
Day 72 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
10:28 GMT:
3,872 terrorists 'neutralized' since launch of Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says.
08:25 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces carried out air strikes on a group of YPG terrorists on mountains in Rajo, the northwestern district of Afrin, according to Anadolu Agency.
April 1:
Day 71 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
18:27 GMT:
One civilian Turkish worker was killed and three soldiers were injured when a military vehicle drove over a mine in Afrin, northwestern Syria, Turkish military says.
16:01 GMT:
3,852 terrorists 'neutralized' since launch of Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says.
March 30:
Day 70 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
12:13 GMT:
A senior lawmaker of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Friday strongly criticized French support for the PYD/PKK terror group.
Speaking to journalists at the parliament in capital Ankara, CHP parliamentary Deputy Group Chairman Engin Altay said: "France! Know your place! You can do nothing in Syria."
11:35 GMT:
France’s offer to mediate between Turkey and the PYD/PKK-led SDF terrorist group in Syria is "unacceptable," Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says.
"This is what France does, trying to show themselves as important, to play a role in every subject. But this is unacceptable," Cavusoglu said.
11:13 GMT:
The White Helmets civil-defence agency, which was expelled from Syria's northwestern city of Afrin by PYD/PKK terrorists three years ago, has now resumed its activities in the city.
Members of the agency are now clearing the rubble piled up earlier by PYD/PKK terrorists to halt the advance of the Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army, which together liberated the city on March 18.
10:10 GMT:
France does not anticipate any new military operations in northern Syria beyond international coalition activities against Daesh, French media reported, citing a presidential source.
09:30 GMT:
The offer of France to mediate between Turkey and the PYD/PKK-led SDF terror group in Syria exceeds its limit, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says.
If the remark [by the France presidency] that ‘we can be a mediator between Turkey and SDG’ is true, it far exceeds the limit of the person who says that."
3,800 terrorists neutralized since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin, Erdogan says.
09:12 GMT:
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke over the phone with his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian, according to a diplomatic source.
The phone call came after a French presidential statement expressing support for the PYD/YPG/PKK terror groups.
08:55 GMT:
Turkey's Deputy Premier Bekir Bozdag tweeted that the French statement meant “open support for terrorism, terror groups and terrorists; an attempt to legalize terrorist groups; and clear cooperation and solidarity with the terror groups attacking Turkey”.
07:50 GMT:
Turkey's stance on the PKK/PYD/YPG terror group is "clear" and Ankara rejects any approach for mediation or dialogue, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin says.
"Turkey's stance against PKK/PYD/YPG -- which is trying to legitimize itself under the name of SDF -- is clear. We reject 'dialogue, contact, mediation' approaches with these terrorist structures, which are irresponsible."
March 29:
Day 69 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
20:03 GMT:
The French President recalled “the commitment of France against the PKK and its commitment to the security of Turkey” during his meeting with the PYD/PKK-led SDF delegation, according to a presidency statement.
09:27 GMT:
The road between Azaz and Idlib province through Afrin opens.
06:12 GMT:
According to a statement by the Turkish Armed Forces, a Turkish soldier who was injured during Operation Olive Branch on March 22, has succumbed to his wounds.
The number of Turkish soldiers who have died since the operation started has risen to 52.
March 28:
Day 68 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
10:23 GMT:
Al-Sham Front, a group fighting under the banner of Free Syrian Army, has taken active participation in aid activities across the Afrin town centre.
09:55 GMT:
Turkey has decided to open a new border crossing from Hatay province to the northwestern Syrian district of Afrin to speed up the delivery of humanitarian aid there, Anadolu Agency reports.
07:02 GMT:
The Turkish military says that 95 mines and improvised explosives devices (IED) have been destroyed since Turkish and Free Syrian Army forces captured the Afrin district centre on March 18.
Turkish forces continue to clear roads and houses from mines and bombs to make civilians' return to their homes safe.
March 27:
Day 67 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
15:23 GMT:
Turkey's forces are consolidating in/around Afrin area, says US Defence Secretary Mattis "There have been reports of looting in the town by some of the elements that came into Afrin a lot of people made refugees there."
Previously Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said that Ankara does not tolerate any kind of these acts and they are going to investigate the allegations.
05:38 GMT:
Two Turkish soldiers have been killed in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region on Monday, during a sweep and clear mission, according to the Turkish army.
The total number of Turkish soldiers killed since Operation Olive Branch started in northwestern Syria's Afrin rises to 51 while 228 others were wounded.
March 26:
Day 66 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
17:30 GMT:
Turkey’s government spokesman Bekir Bozdag said 3,755 terrorists have been neutralised since the beginning of the operation.
“Turkey’s not done in Afrin. It will continue till life returns to normal,” Bozdag added.
"Totally 332 regions which 282 of them villages and 50 critical sites are under control."
Bozdag also said that Turkey provides assist 40.000 civilians in 106 spots.
11:34 GMT:
A bomb planted by YPG/PKK militants explodes inside a house in Afrin, northwestern Syria, leaving a family of six trapped under the debris.
09:18 GMT:
Turkish military discovered a workshop of improvised explosive devices (IED) during security sweeps in Syria’s Afrin region, recently cleared from terrorists.
During the search, the security forces found a barn used by the YPG/PKK as an IED manufacturing facility.
08:08 GMT:
Children forced out of school by YPG/PKK terrorists were overjoyed to return to their classrooms in Afrin, northwestern Syria, two years later.
Turkey has undertaken a school renovation project in Afrin where a counter-terror operation is ongoing.
08:07 GMT:
Some of the business places, including bakers, barbers and restaurant, were opened in the Afrin Center, which was cleaned from terrorists.
08:01 GMT:
The teenage members of the YPG/PKK terrorist organization, who were interrogated by Turkish authorities, revealed their forced recruitment by the terror group in northwestern Syria.
The teenagers also revealed the terror group’s organizational structure, the process of arming the children and the planting of booby traps in Afrin region.
In his statement at the Criminal Court of Peace in the southern Turkish province of Kilis, YPG/PKK member A.K., 17, said he visited his relatives in Afrin last year when the YPG/PKK were recruiting children from every house under the campaign of the “military recruitment”.
March 24:
Day 64 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
10:06 GMT:
The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) and locals uncovered a mass grave of its members near the town of Maydanki north of the city of Afrin.
March 23:
Day 63 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
16:59 GMT:
Turkish military and FSA forces clear Fefitin, Berceke and Kushin villages in the south of Afrin.
12:34 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that 3,731 terrorists have been neutralised since the beginning of the operation.
09:54 GMT:
Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) begin to distribute hot meals to residents of Afrin town centre, which was recently cleared of terrorists by the Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army.
08:03 GMT:
Turkey’s military on Friday found headquarters buildings of the terrorist group YPG/PKK during security sweeps in areas of Afrin, Syria liberated from terrorists.
07:02 GMT:
The Turkish Red Crescent distributes food collar, hygiene kit and baby cloth in Mabatli town and some other villages after it cleared from YPG/PKK terrorists.
04:16 GMT:
The head of Turkish parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has criticised the US government for its support to the YPG/PKK.
“The US' YPG preference is a completely wrong choice,” Volkan Bozkir told a group of Turkish journalists at a meeting hosted by Turkey’s ambassador to the US Serdar Kilic in Washington.
04:06 GMT:
The US State Department spokesperson says Washington has no intention to leave Manbij despite Turkey’s pledge to clear YPG/PKK terrorists from Manbij, in northern Syria.
"US forces are located in Manbij. We have made it very clear with the Turkish government that we continue to operate there," Heather Nauert says.
March 22:
Day 62 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
16:35 GMT:
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, US President Donald Trump discuss bilateral and regional relations in a phone call.
The Manbij city -under YPG and US control- is one of the most important topics between two countries.
16:12 GMT:
Civilians start returning to homes in Afrin after Turkish-backed forces clear area of terrorists says Turkish military chief, Hulusi Akar.
16:05 GMT:
Turkish military, Free Syrian Army clear four more villages (Baay, Kafer Nabu, Bashufah ve Burj Haydar) in Syria's Afrin during Operation Olive Branch.
12:47 GMT:
Three Turkish servicemen have been killed in the Syrian district of Afrin after an improvised explosive device went off during the mine exploration activities carried out under the Olive Branch Operation in the Afrin district of Syria. Three other soldiers have wounded.
10:38 GMT:
The leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), meets EU ambassadors in capital Ankara.
“We saw that some EU ambassadors, especially Germany, have adopted a different attitude towards the Afrin operation.
“But our [CHP’s] support for the operation is clear since the beginning,” CHP Deputy Chairman Ozturk Yilmaz said.
10:26 GMT:
After clearing the town of Afrin, Syria from terrorists, Turkey is now working to renovate schools for the local children.
The renovation project is being led by the Kecioren district Municipality of Turkey’s capital Ankara. The municipality spearheaded a similar project in Jarabulus, Syria in the wake of Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016-early 2017.
10:01 GMT:
Footage captured by the Turkish Armed Forces shows YPG/PKK training camp in Afrin’s Hacihasanli village in northwestern Syria, where children kidnapped for recruitment were taken.
09:42 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces found an explosive hidden inside a Quran by YPG/PKK terrorists in Afrin, northwestern Syria, security sources said.
An explosive hidden inside a copy of the Muslim holy book hanging on a wall was found in a house during security sweeps in the village of Shaykh Ubasi, in northwestern Afrin, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
08:10 GMT:
Humanitarian relief associations from Turkey's Sakarya have sent 50 tons of humanitarian aid material to civilians living in villages that cleared from terrorists in Afrin.
07:43 GMT:
Turkish foreign minister: Turkey to not allow looting in Afrin; 'Our soldiers, Free Syrian Army are not YPG/PKK terrorists'
March 21:
Day 61 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
20:16 GMT:
Turkey criticised German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s remarks on Turkey's ongoing Operation Olive Branch.
“We find it extremely odd for some of our allies to continue their tendency to look at events from the eyes of terrorist organisations.
“In close coordination and consultation with our country, we invite you to strive for the establishment of lasting peace, security and stability in Syria” instead of “falling to the position of countries supporting terrorism by lending credence to disinformation operations of terrorist organizations”, the statement said.
12:36 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that 3,698 terrorists have been neutralised since the beginning of the operation in Afrin.
Erdogan also says YPG has no right to be in Syria’s Manbij as it belongs to an Arab population has been living in the town who were forced to remove by the group.
President Erdogan also calls on his American counterpart Donald Trump to end confusion on the US’ Turkey policy and take a stand against the statements targeting Ankara issued by his administration.
12:21 GMT:
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that the situation in Afrin amid Turkish operation is "unacceptable", AFP reports
11:10 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says “It will not be enough for YPG to retreat from Manbij. There will be other cities after Manbij.”
He says that on the issue of Manbij, Turkey and US have an “understanding” over Manbij, not an “agreement.”
06:28 GMT:
Locals hands over 21 YPG/PKK terrorists to Turkish soldiers in Syria’s recently cleared Afrin region, said the Turkish military.
In a statement posted on the Twitter account, Turkish Armed Forces said that the terrorists were handed over to the military by local residents and village heads in nine different villages.
March 20:
Day 60 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
12:30 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that 3,655 terrorists have been neutralised since the beginning of the operation.
12:21 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army took control of three villages (Ayn Darah, Basutah and Burj Abdallah) from terrorists in Afrin.
08:47 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that 3,647 terrorists have been neutralised since the beginning of the operation.
The US tried to fool us by providing weapons to a terrorist organisation that is the enemy of its ally, Turkey, Erdogan adds.
The military part of Operation Olive Branch is almost done. Now we are going to make Afrin habitable for its citizens, says Erdogan
08:35 GMT:
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says that Turkey-US negotiations about Syria are still continuing.
He says a foreign ministry undersecretary will visit Washington DC in the coming days.
04:48 GMT:
Turkish Deputy Premier Bozdag says civilians unharmed; water, medicine, food supply not prevented in Afrin during Operation Olive Branch.
Bozdag also adds that no matter what Turkey will continue on its operation to protect its national security.
“The latest statement reveals that the US still cannot or does not want to comprehend the reason, purpose and nature of Operation Olive Branch,” on his Twitter account.
March 19:
Day 59 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
20:10 GMT:
Turkey's Foreign Ministry responds to the US critics of the Afrin operation saying that Washington has not understood the purpose and concept of Operation Olive Branch.
Regarding the view that Turkey's military intervention somehow harmed the fight against Daesh, the ministry said such allegations are baseless and far from the truth.
17:19 GMT:
Turkey’s presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin says that Ankara was investigating reports that some FSA members went on a looting spree after taking control of Syria’s Afrin town a day earlier.
Kalin suggested that some groups in Afrin might not be following orders from their commanders.
17:07 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces shared pictures on its Twitter account comparing the US-led coalition's operation to defeat Daesh and Syrian regime bombings on Aleppo with Turkey's operation in Afrin region.
"Civilian/innocent people, environment, historical, religious and cultural buildings are all inviolable for Turkish Armed Forces," it says in the statement.
15:51 GMT:
The United States warns its NATO ally Turkey it is "deeply concerned" after a Turkish-led operation on the Syrian city of Afrin.
"It appears the majority of the population of the city, which is predominantly Kurdish, evacuated under threat of attack from Turkish military forces and Turkish-backed opposition forces," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert says.
13:32 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says 3,622 terrorists 'neutralised' in Afrin since the launch of Operation Olive Branch and added that this operation will continue.
"This operation will continue in Manbij, Ayn al Arab (Kobani), Tel Abyad," till to the Iraq border to clear YPG/PKK militants and break the "terror corridor," says Erdogan.
13:05 GMT:
“Our fight in Afrin will continue until the threat is over,” says Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.
10:45 GMT:
"We have no intention of staying in Afrin," Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said to press members in a statement. "We are not invaders."
"The goal of our operation is to clear the region of terrorism and to establish security, peace and stability in the region once again in a stronger way. After liberating the region from terrorists, the goal is to leave the region to its real owners," he continued.
The official also added that Turkey's work in Afrin was not over. "We still have a lot to do in Afrin," he said, pointing to the need to clear the region of mines, bombs and other such materials.
09:23 GMT:
Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin says that the forces in Afrin are now ready to establish stability.
“We will focus on that in the coming weeks, and of course our security forces will remain in the region” to ensure that the local people are completely safe.
Kalin added that Turkey hopes the Syrian regime will not try to seize Afrin.
“We want to make sure that the civilians are protected, not only from terrorists from the YPG/PYD but also from regime attacks,” Kalin said, adding the regime did not try to do so in the Euphrates Shield area.
04:11 GMT:
At least 11 people were killed when a bomb planted by terrorist YPG/PKK group went off in northern Syria’s Afrin region.
Seven civilians and four FSA members lost their lives when a booby-trapped bomb exploded in a four-storey building late Sunday during a sweep in the Ahmed Shahavi neighbourhood.
00:30 GMT:
The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army (FSA) took control of a large underground ammunition depot in northwestern Syria on Sunday, reported Anadolu Agency.
The 150-meter depot, spread over 12 rooms and reinforced by concrete walls, was found in the village of Cuvek, northwest of Afrin.
March 18:
Day 58 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
19:07 GMT:
Afrin Liberation Council convenes in Turkey's southeastern city of Gaziantep. The 30-member local council agrees on 17 articles.
Council spokesman Hasan Shindi, a Kurdish opposition figure from Afrin said, "Representatives from all groups in Afrin were present at this meeting. We will implement the decisions we took as local council."
18:00 GMT:
Teams from Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) distributed hot meals and food packets in Afrin's southwestern town of Jinderes.
The hot meals and food packets were distributed to the civilians returning to their homes in Jinderes town's Dayr Ballut, Mahmudiyah and Hajilar villages, after the Turkish army and the Free Syrian Army liberated the area.
15:11 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army took control of another 29 villages from terrorists in Afrin.
Villages liberated are located within the triangle delineated by the towns of Rajo, Bulbul and Sharan.
07:00 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) have entered Afrin city in northwestern Syria as PKK-linked YPG militants withdraw, TRT World has learned.
FSA spokesman Mohammad Hamadin told TRT World that the YPG has pulled out from most of the city and that the FSA is now searching for any remaining militants.
Fleeing YPG members have withdrawn to regime-held areas to the south of the city, the spokesman added.
March 17:
Day 57 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
09:05 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) released drone footage which it says is an undamaged Afrin Hospital. The footage shows an intact building after reports emerged that it had been damaged by shelling.
08:25 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army liberate four more villages from YPG/PKK terrorists in Syria's Afrin.
06:50 GMT:
3,567 terrorists 'neutralised' in Afrin since the launch of Operation Olive Branch, Turkish military says.
March 16:
Day 56 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
12:39 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army cleared four villages from terrorists in Afrin.
12:32 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey has majorly solved the Afrin operation and controls 1,320 square kilometres of it.
11:37 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that the Afrin operation to finish soon.
Responding to the critics about the civilians and invading Syrian soil Erdogan said that Turkey hosts more than 3.5 million refugees in its soil.
"We don't have any problem with civilians and we don't have an eye on Syrian lands."
Erdogan accused EU of being hypocrites also said the bloc has "begged" Turkey to keep refugees in its lands, referring to the refugee deal.
09:50 GMT:
Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army clear villages of Sheikh Bilal, Small Square and Qurdane and also a strategic hill of the YPG.
09:12 GMT:
Turkey's military says it's dropped leaflets in Arabic and Kurdish on the northern Syrian town of Afrin.
"Stay away from terrorists, their sites and shelters. Do not let them use you and your children as [human] shields. Those who want to leave Afrin will be under the guarantee of the Turkish Armed Forces. Those who are forced by terrorists to mobilise, you should leave your weapons as soon as possible and return to your homes."
07:30 GMT:
Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army cleared two villages, Lower Masqeh and Upper Masqeh, and two strategic hills in Syria's Afrin of the YPG/PKK.
06:44 GMT:
3,530 terrorists 'neutralised' in Afrin since the launch of Operation Olive Branch, Turkish military says.
05:20 GMT:
"With the motion on Afrin operation, European Parliament once again showed its 'one-sided' views," Turkish foreign ministry says in a statement.
March 15:
Day 55 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
14:21 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces announced that a Turkish soldier has died in the fight against terrorists in Afrin region.
13:56 GMT:
The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army clear six villages (Kelanli, Barakash, Kovanli, Chalkama, Charkatli ve Chakanli) and a hill of terrorists during Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region.
13:07 GMT:
EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik has slammed the European Parliament’s draft motion calling on Turkey to stop its ongoing Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin region.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Celik said the proposed motion, which calls on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Afrin, “lacks vision” and reflects “an ignorant decision”.
12:31 GMT:
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responds to European Parliament’s call to stop the Operation Olive Branch by saying that Turkey won’t leave Afrin unless the country feels secure.
11:57 GMT:
The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army clear five villages (Korzlu, Chakur, Naz, Zerkanli and Balal) of terrorists during Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region.
09:16 GMT:
Turkish military and Free Syrian Army clear four villages (Kafer Chil, Birka, Alicaro ve Hamoraco) in Afrin, Syria of terrorists as part of Operation Olive Branch.
08:17 GMT:
At least 70 percent of Syria’s Afrin has been cleared by Turkish forces and its allies, says Turkey’s Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin.
“They wanted to make Afrin a new Qandil (a PKK base in northern Iraq). This was eliminated by the Olive Branch Operation.”
Kalin also adds that the US-Turkey agreement on Syria’s Manbij is binding and the deal will not change because of the new US secretary of state.
06:42 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces says 3,524 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the launch of Operation Olive Branch.
06:01 GMT:
Turkish foreign minister Cavusoglu postpones his trip to Washington scheduled for March 19 after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was ousted.
March 14:
Day 54 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
18:19 GMT:
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan says 3,486 terrorists have been 'neutralised' since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin.
13:26 GMT:
Turkish military and Free Syrian Army clear four villages (Gevrika, Gazaviye, Halilo and Deyr Mishmish) in Syria's Afrin from terrorists as part of Operation Olive Branch.
11:48 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and FSA clear eight villages (Kori Gul, Shadir, Cholagan, Goz, Marratah, Shatiyan, Kaferdel and Kuran) from terrorists in an ongoing operation in Afrin.
10:05 GMT:
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that Afrin town is circled and he expects the town to fall by the evening.
10:00 GMT:
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says the meeting scheduled for March 19 regarding Syria with the US Secretary of State in Washington could be postponed after the ouster of Rex Tillerson.
“We would like to work with the new secretary of state [Mike Pompeo] with the same understanding, with bilateral respect and understanding.”
Turkey supports Syria’s territorial integrity and the purpose of Operation Olive Branch is to “neutralise” the terrorists who threaten our country in the region, says Cavusoglu.
09:49 GMT:
Pro-Assad militants shelled Turkish positions in northern Syria in response to a Turkish air strike that killed five of their fighters, a pro-regime commander says.
08:44 GMT:
The Minister of Customs and Trade, Bulent Tufenkci, says that Turkey is prepared for any situation in regards to a possible wave of civilians that will seek refuge from Afrin.
08:22 GMT:
Three Turkish airstrikes hit pro-Assad militia at the checkpoint on the road to Afrin, killing five militants, Reuters reports citing a pro-regime commander.
06:57 GMT:
At least 3,444 terrorists 'neutralised' since the launch of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin, says Turkish military.
March 13:
Day 53 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
14:28 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and FSA clear two villages (Sheikh Abdurrahman and Kela) from terrorists in an ongoing operation in Afrin.
14:08 GMT:
Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan says 3,400 terrorists have been “neutralised” in Afrin since the start of Operation Olive Branch.
"We entered Afrin, there is not much left to achieve there, but we did not enter to occupy. We are entering to deliver Afrin to its rightful owners."
"We have never targeted civilians. If we had done so, then Afrin would have fallen a long time ago."
12:06 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and FSA clear three villages (Ma’sar Juqq, Qarah Bash, Kafr Dali at-Tahtani) from terrorists in an ongoing operation in Afrin.
09:56 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and FSA clear two villages (Magharjuq, Darmashkanli) from terrorists in an ongoing operation in Afrin.
08:10 GMT:
Turkey and US will secure Syria's Manbij and Ankara will carry out a military operation if that fails, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says.
Cavusoglu also adds that US and Turkey will decide on a roadmap on Syria's Manbij on March 19.
Cavusoglu says US and Turkey will accompany the YPG/PKK militants withdrawing from Syria's Manbij.
07:52 GMT:
Turkish military says Afrin town has been encircled as of March 12.
06:58 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces says 3,393 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the launch of Operation Olive Branch.
March 12:
Day 52 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
19:50 GMT:
One Turkish soldier was killed while another was injured in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region, the Turkish military said in a statement.
A Turkish General Staff statement said the casualties occurred during sweep and clear operations in Afrin's Jinderes region.
The statement added that the injured soldier is being treated at the hospital, without giving further details.
18:50 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army (FSA) liberated a total of 12 villages from the YPG and Daesh terrorists on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported.
According to Anadolu Agency correspondents in the field, the village of Bassselhaya in Afrin’s district centre, Iskan in the town of Jinderes, and Qizilbasha and Kutanli in Bulbul were cleared of the YPG and Daesh terrorists.
Earlier in the day, eight villages - Jalama, Habol, Barlana, Al Qarah, Zindakan, Qila, Kumush Burj, and Qibar - were also cleared of the YPG and Daesh terrorists.
Since the launch of the operation, the Turkish military and FSA have liberated 201 locations, including five town centers, 163 villages, 33 strategic mountains and hills, and one YPG base.
17:40 GMT:
Turkish government spokesman Bekir Bozdag said the number of the terrorist "neutralised" since launch of Operation Olive Branch has risen to 3,381.
He also said that during operation the Turkish military and the Free Syrian army has liberated a total of 1,102 square kilometers from the terrorist threat.
11:57 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and FSA clear four villages (Celeme, Hapol, Berlane Kuy ve Little Karkin) from terrorist in an ongoing operation in Afrin.
11:12 GMT:
Turkish Minister of National Defence Nurettin Canikli states that new domestically produced ammunition was planned to be used in the Operation Olive Branch.
“Final testing of several products will be done at the beginning of April. Following the successful completion of the tests, we will provide them to the use of Turkish Armed Forces.”
11:08 GMT:
Turkey’s Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar says, "Our aim [with Operation Olive Branch] is to establish peace and security in the region, and also clean up the area of YPG/PKK terror elements. We are not only clearing PKK from the region, we are also clearing Daesh."
12:08 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and FSA clear four villages (Kibar, Zindikan, Kile ve Gumusburch) from terrorist in an ongoing operation in Afrin.
06:46 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces says 3,347 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the launch of Operation Olive Branch.
March 11:
Day 51 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
20:44 GMT:
All outbound train services came to a stand still in Manchester Picadilly Station on Sunday due to a protest staged by the sympathizers of the terrorist organization YPG/PKK.
Around 100 protesters holding the so-called flags of the terrorist group invaded one of the two biggest stations in Manchester before moving onto tracks.
Shouting anti-Turkish slogans, the group also carried the posters of the jailed PKK head Abdullah Ocalan.
13:13 GMT:
Turkish and Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces have so far liberated 950 square kilometres during the Turkish-led counter-terrorist operation in Afrin region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
At least 3,300 YPG/PKK and Daesh militants have been "neutralised" in Afrin since the start of the operation, he added.
12:06 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and FSA cleared 16 more villages and a strategic mountain from terrorists in Afrin.
The forces cleared the villages of Jagmaq Saghir, Alameda, Khalidiah and Jalbul and Kafr Batna, close to Afrin city centre.
Qeretepe and Pastel Kisk villages in Sheran, northeast of the city of Afrin, and Kan Kurk village in Jinderes district, were also cleared of militants.
Later on Sunday, eight more villages – Khujamanli, Savan Kabir, and Chencheylan in the northwestern Rajo district, Tallaf and Qujaman in the southwestern Jinderes district, Sulqli and Alibey in the northern Bulbul district, and Kawkabah near Afrin’s centre -- were cleared of militants. Bocite Mount was captured during the operations.
A strategic airport called Bablite, located between Jinderes and Afrin, was also liberated from militants.
07:47 GMT:
The FSA captured a base of the so-called “special forces” of YPG/PKK militants in Afrin.
Moving into central Afrin as part of the operation, FSA forces seized the base after a brief clash with militants.
0734 GMT:
Turkish and FSA forces continue to clear recently liberated areas in Afrin of mines left behind by YPG/PKK militants, including the town of Jinderes.
March 10:
Day 50 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
13:44 GMT:
Turkish and FSA forces have so far liberated 850 square kilometres (328 square miles) during the Turkish-led counter-terrorist operation in Afrin, says Erdogan.
08:46 GMT:
The Turkish military and FSA liberated seven more villages in northwestern Syria's Afrin region from YPG/PKK militants.
The three villages of Babak Ushagi, Qorta, and Qasha in Bulbul, northwestern Afrin were cleared of militants.
Later on Saturday, four more villages -- the villages of Kafr Rum and Qurt Qulaq in the northeastern Sharan district, Zellaka in the southwestern Jinderes district, and Kfar Zeit in Afrin’s city centre-- were liberated by the Turkish military and FSA forces.
March 9:
Day 49 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
14:06 GMT:
Turkish forces and the Free Syrian Army clear the Kurt Farmez village in Jinderes district of Afrin, as part of the ongoing Operation Olive Branch.
12:35 GMT:
Erdogan says 3,171 terrorists have been “neutralised” since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin.
Erdogan also says that Afrin town is under siege and Turkish troops are poised to enter the city centre.
“We are in Afrin today, tomorrow will be in Manbij and the next day we will ensure that the east Euphrates until the Iraqi border will be cleared of terrorists,” Erdogan says.
09:09 GMT:
The Turkish forces and Free Syrian Army clears the Grand Halobu village in Afrin of militants and takes control of the dam which provides water to Afrin and Azaz.
08:36 GMT:
Turkish military, along with the Free Syrian Army, clears terrorists from two more villages in Afrin, Syria as Operation Olive Branch pushes further into the region. Troops have now reached the border of the city centre.
06:40 GMT:
The Turkish military says 3,149 terrorists have been neutralised since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin.
March 8:
Day 48 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
16:43 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces says that the strategically important border town of Jinderes in Syria’s Afrin region is now under its control after it was cleared from YPG/PKK terrorists.
16:30 GMT:
The Turkish army sends more commandos to reinforce border units in the border province abutting Afrin.
15:54 GMT:
A video recorded by a Turkish army drone shows the YPG/PKK planting bombs on the roads to prevent civilians from leaving Afrin.
The mines kill several civilians.
12:43 GMT:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says 3,089 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin. Turkey is now in control of an area around 800 square kilometres there.
“We did not go there for invasion, we are going to return those places for the rightful people,” Erdogan says.
10:58 GMT:
The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army clear the town of Jinderes in Syria's Afrin region from terrorists where clashes are still continuing.
06:34 GMT:
Turkish military says 3,055 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin.
March 7:
Day 47 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
18:38 GMT:
Turkish and Free Syrian Army forces clear another village from militants in southwest Afrin.
15:20 GMT:
A Syrian villager dies on Wednesday after YPG/PKK stepping on a mine planted near his house by YPG/PKK members.
14:09 GMT:
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on the phone. The two leaders discuss the latest developments in Syria; in particular the UN Security Council’s 2401 resolution on the ceasefire in eastern Ghouta.
12:40 GMT:
Turkish jets are bombing Jindares mountain in the Afrin region, known to be one of the most important hideouts for terrorists.
10:57 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says 2,960 terrorists have been neutralised since the beginning of the Afrin operation.
08:22 GMT:
The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army clear the strategically important Kafr Jana village in Syria's Afrin from terrorists.
07:47 GMT:
Ankara'a chief public prosecutor accuses Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputies Adem Geveri, Bedia Ozgokce Ertan, and Lezin Botan of “generating propaganda for a terrorist organisation” on their social media accounts over comments made on Operation Oliver Branch. The matter will be referred to the Turkish parliament at a later date.
07:08 GMT:
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, says the YPG/PKK are using civilians as human shields in Afrin and the act amounts to a war crime. Kalin's remarks come after a previous UN statement which accused the YPG of the same crime.
Kalin also says that Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin does not harm the fight against Daesh. He says it will test the sincerity of Turkey’s Western allies and their fight against terrorism.
He says Turkey would like the US to halt the transfer of YPG/PKK militants from Manbij to Afrin. He says the decision is entirely theirs but Turkey will do whatever it needs to.
07:07 GMT:
Turkish National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli say Operation Olive Branch has cleared more than 100 positions of terrorists.
"The operation continues as planned. There is no delay. We will get rapid results if the conditions will be eligible." Canikli says.
06:46 GMT:
Turkish military officials say 2,940 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, northwestern Syria.
March 6:
Day 46 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
20:20 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the phone.
Erdogan, Putin agree to continue pursuing cooperation and coordination in the fight against terrorism. The two leaders discussed the latest developments in Syria, particularly UN Security Council's 2401 resolution.
15:44 GMT:
Turkish armed forces and Free Syrian Army has cleared two more villages (Tall Hamu ve Matinli) from the terrorists in Afrin.
13:53 GMT:
According to Turkish Armed Forces statement, one of the Turkish soldiers who was injured during Operation Olive Branch on March 1, has died in hospital.
So, the number of Turkish soldiers who died since the operation started rose to 42.
13:15 GMT:
German Foreign Minister Sigmar said that Berlin received a verbal note from Ankara for the extradition of former co-leader of the PYD/PKK leader Salih Muslum.
He also added that the German government will examine Turkey's request for the extradition of Muslum and make a decision based on constitutional principles.
13:10 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that there are no civilian casualties on Turkey's Afrin operation.
"Our operation is in line with international law and we are fulfilling our humanitarian responsibilities. So far no civilian has lost their lives, despite black propaganda aimed at us. The territorial integrity of Syria is very important for us," he said.
12:18 GMT:
The YPG are redeploying 1,700 of its militants from frontlines with Daesh to the Afrin region to fight against Turkey in the northwestern region, their spokesman Abu Omar al Edilbi told Reuters.
12:10 GMT:
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan says 2878 terrorists have been neutralised during the operation.
He also said that more 700 sq km area have been controlled by Turkish forces in the Afrin region.
10:16 GMT:
The Turkish military, FSA forces cleared 3 villages (Harabat Charanli, Charanli ve Shirkan), the town of Sharan in Afrin, Syria from terrorists in Operation Olive Branch.
By this Turkey cleared 147 positions from the YPG/PKK.
08:10 GMT:
Turkey expects US to take back weapons handed to Syrian YPG group and will discuss the issue in a meeting on March 8 and 9. Turkey's Erdogan, Russia's Putin and Iran's Rouhani are also expected to hold a summit on Syria in April said Turkish foreign ministry spokesman.
He also added that a statement by Pentagon spokesman calling PKK terrorist, Ferhad Abdi Shahin (nicknamed as Mazlum Kobani) a ‘general’ is nonsense.
March 5:
Day 45 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
13:04 GMT:
2,795 militants ‘neutralised’ since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region, says Turkish government spokesman Bekir Bozdag.
Bozdag also criticised the US government over supporting the YPG/PKK militants in Syria. "As we all are focusing on terror organisations such as Daesh, we also need to focus on YPG/PYD/PKK terror organisations in the region," Bozdag added.
10:43 GMT:
Turkey officially asked Germany to extradite former co-leader of the PYD/PKK leader Salih Muslum.
08:52 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces, Free Syrian Army cleared two more villages (Belushank and Alici) from terrorists in Afrin, Syria as part of Operation Olive Branch, Anadolu Agency reported.
The number of villages cleared within the scope of the operation reached to 104.
06:40 GMT:
2,777 militants ‘neutralised’ since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region, says Turkish military.
March 4:
Day 44 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
19:00 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army gain control of two more towns and villages.
The Turkish army also announced that it taken control of two highways leading to Afrin from Rajo and Jinderes.
16:15 GMT:
2,668 YPG/PKK terrorists have been 'neutralised' since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin: Turkish military
11:45 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army clear five more villages and a mountain in Syria's Afrin from YPG/PKK terrorists.
09:30 GMT:
Turkish General Staff announces that at least 2.612 YPG/PKK terrorists have been "neutralised" since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in Syria.
March 3:
Day 43 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
17:10 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army liberate seven residential areas, including strategic Rajo town in Syria's Afrin region.
In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said Ramadiyah and Hamelika villages of Jinderes district -- located southwest of Afrin -- Ali Bazan, Qariqin, and Shamanli villages of Sharan district -- located northeast of Afrin -- and Badinli village of Rajo district were freed on Saturday.
16:15 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces announced that the number of the terrorists "neutralised" has risen to 2,516 since the start of Operation Olive Branch.
13:45 GMT:
The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army have liberated three more villages in Syria's Afrin of the PKK-linked YPG.
Since the launch of the operation, over 126 locations including two centre of districts, 96 villages, six rural settlements, 21 strategic mountains and hills and one YPG/PKK base have been cleared from terror groups.
12:53 GMT:
Turkish warplanes struck pro-Assad militants in the northwestern Afrin region of Syria on Saturday, killing at least 36, as Turkey's assault in the region gathered pace, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
09:14 GMT:
The Turkish military says 924 YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorist targets destroyed in airstrikes since start of the operation in northern Syria.
08:08 GMT:
The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army have taken control of Rajo town centre in Afrin.
Rajo is one of the biggest residential areas near the city centre.
Clashes still continue in some parts, Anadolu Agency reports.
06:49 GMT:
In a daily briefing, the Turkish Armed Forces announced that the number of the terrorists "neutralised" has risen to 2,434 since the start of the operation.
The Turkish army often uses the word "neutralised" in its statements to imply the militants were either killed, wounded or captured.
The statement also added that Turkish military and Free Syrian Army also liberated Ramadiyah and Hamelika villages in Afrin.
March 2:
Day 42 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
19:45 GMT:
President Erdogan says at least 2,348 terrorists "neutralised" so far in Operation Olive Branch in Syria's northwestern region of Afrin.
09:05 GMT:
Turkish army and Free Syrian Army cleared three villages (Meseqanli, Mamali, Atamanli) from terrorists. By this the forces to reach the gate of Raju centre.
08:20 GMT:
Turkish National Defence Ministry announced that 41 Turkish soldiers and 116 Free Syrian Army troops have been killed since the beginning of the Operation Olive Branch.
6:37 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces announced that they have "neutralised" 2,295 terrorists since its operation began in northern Syria's Afrin region.
March 1:
Day 41 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
21:00 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces say at least eight of its soldiers were killed and another 13 were wounded during clashes in Afrin on Thursday.
The military said the wounded soldiers had been "swiftly evacuated" to receive treatment.
08:14 GMT:
Turkey's government spokesman Bekir Bozdag criticised the US Department of State spokeswoman Heather Nauert about UN Security Council's cease-fire decision whether it includes Afrin or not.
"We read it very well. I am sure that the American spokespeople are not reading it well. It will be good if they read it once again," Bozdag said.
06:57 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces announced that they have "neutralised" 2,222 terrorists since its operation began in northern Syria's Afrin region.
06:51 GMT:
The United States has set up around 20 military bases in Syria on territory controlled by the YPG, an official from Russia's Security Council said, the RIA news agency reported.
The official, Alexander Venediktov, an aide to Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, also said Washington was supplying the YPG with the most advanced weapons, according to RIA.
06:50 GMT:
The Turkish Armed forces announce that they have cleared another village in Syria's Afrin.
February 28:
Day 40 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
07:00 GMT:
Turkey criticised the United States for arguing a ceasefire in Syria should apply to its military operation.
"Afrin is not included among the places to which are referred in the [2401 UN Security Council] decision, where the humanitarian situation has become worrisome. Because what is happening in Afrin is not just clashes where no distinction is made between civilians and terrorists, but rather the operation against terrorist organisations who are targeting Syria’s unity and Turkey’s national security," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said.
07:00 GMT:
Turkish military says it has "neutralised" 2,184 terrorists since its operation began in northern Syria's Afrin region.
February 27:
Day 39 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
22:39 GMT:
Turkish foreign ministry also blasted Paris for giving a false readout of the conversation between Turkish and French presidents, saying Emmanuel Macron did not refer to Afrin in the discussion on the ceasefire.
"President Macron did not refer to Afrin in the said conversation when he talked about the UN Security Council Resolution 2401 on the humanitarian situation in Syria," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Our reaction to the difference between the content of the telephone conversation and the statement issued by the Office of the French President, which shows lack of candour, and the impropriety of misinforming public opinion despite the fact that the conversation was recorded, has been communicated to the French authorities," it added.
20:20 GMT:
US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert insisted that the ceasefire did apply to the Afrin operation.
"Turkey is more than welcome to go back and read the exact text of this UN Security Council resolution, and I would suggest that they do so," she said.
Nauert argued that only campaigns against Daesh, Al Qaeda and other militants were exempted from the ceasefire.
14:40 GMT:
“No matter where he goes, we’ll go after him. We have court decisions, red bulletin as well,” says Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu following the release of the former co-leader of the PYD/PKK Salih Muslum.
13:28 GMT:
The former PYD/PKK co-leader Salih Muslum, says he knew of Turkish warrant but did not take it seriously and says allegations against him are false.
13:20 GMT:
The decision of the release for former PYD/PKK co-leader Salih Muslum, Czech court has shown that it did not care about “dozens of innocent civilians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks,” Turkish Foreign Ministry says
12:18 GMT:
Spokesman of Turkish government Bekir Bozdag says Czech court ruling to release former PYD/PKK leader Salih Muslum is decision supporting terrorism and has not surprised Ankara.
"The stance of EU members’ against Turkey and towards those groups which conduct terror attacks against Turkey, is obvious,” Bozdag said.
10:43 GMT:
A court in the Czech capital Prague released Salih Muslum, former co-leader of PYD/PKK group, who was detained on Saturday by Turkey's warrant.
08:45 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Ministry had denied any diplomatic negotiations about Afrin with the US.
"Turkey and the US do not have any diplomatic negotiations conducted for Afrin," said spokesman Hami Aksoy.
On Monday night the US Pentagon Spokesman Adrian Rankine Galloway had said Ankara and Washington are in diplomatic negotiations for Afrin that aims to de-escalate tensions.
08:38 GMT:
Turkey had denied the allegations regarding the swap of the prisoners between Ankara and Prague.
Turkey sent an extradition request to the Czech Republic on Salih Muslum - the former PYD chairman which was detained in Prague. Some local media outlets said that Ankara will exchange Czech citizens -who were caught by Turkish anti-terror forces in the PKK fronts- for Muslum.
06:40 GMT:
Turkish military says 2,083 terrorists 'neutralised' since the start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's northwestern Afrin.
February 26:
Day 38 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
13:22 GMT:
Two villages of Sinara have been cleared from YPG terror group by the Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army in Afrin region.
As a result, the YPG has no more border connection with Turkey.
11:10 GMT:
Turkish forces and Free Syrian Army, supported by Turkish air strikes, have pushed the YPG/PKK back from most of Turkey's border.
Turkey has shelled with tanks for six YPG positions and destroyed its shelters.
10:18 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with his French counterpart Emanuel Macron on the phone.
The leaders discussed Turkey-France ties and latest developments in Syria particularly fighting against terrorism and UNSC's 30-days ceasefire resolution.
On the other hand, a statement from Elysee Palace regarding the conversation Macron tells Erdogan Syria ceasefire must apply to Afrin.
08:20 GMT:
Turkish gendarmerie and police special forces enter Syria’s Afrin from the town of Hassa as part of the ongoing operation that aims to clear YPG/PKK, Daesh terrorists from its border.
08:13 GMT:
Turkey has sent an extradition request to the Czech Republic on Salih Muslum - the former PYD chairman detained in Prague - and the court will decide on the request today, says Turkish Deputy PM Bekir Bozdag.
Bozdag, citing the UNSC resolution - 30 days ceasefire in Syria - said that Turkey is fighting against terror groups such as PKK and its affiliation the YPG in Afrin.
"We are considering that [our operation] is an exception to this decision. From this point of view, this decision does not affect our Olive Branch Operation in the Afrin region."
06:30 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces announced that the number of the terrorists "neutralised" has risen to 2,059 since the start of the operation.
February 25:
Day 37 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
21:50 GMT:
Ankara welcomes UN Security Council decision on 30-day cease-fire in Syria says a statement from Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Turkey will continue to fight against terror groups that jeopardize Syria's territorial integrity, the statement added.
11:45 GMT:
Three more villages have been cleared from YPG terror group by Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army.
Since the launch of the operation, over 110 locations including one centre of a district, 83 villages, six rural settlements, 20 strategic mountains and hills and one YPG/PKK base have been cleared from terror groups.
11:07 GMT:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the number of terrorists killed during the operation rose to 2,021.
10:11 GMT:
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that around 350,000 refugees in Turkey would return to their homes in Syria’s Afrin region after the Turkish military ended its operation there.
Turkey has been hosting more than three million Syrian refugees.
08:19 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces say that one Turkish soldier was killed during the operation.
So far, a total of 33 Turkish soldiers have been killed and183 others injured since the start of the operation on January 20.
07:00 GMT:
In a daily briefing, the Turkish Armed Forces announced that the number of the terrorists "neutralised" has risen to 2,018 since the start of the operation.
The Turkish army often uses the word "neutralised" in its statements to imply the militants were either killed, wounded or captured.
The statement also added that Turkish military and Free Syrian Army also liberated five villages in northwest of Afrin.
February 24:
Day 36 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
08:15: GMT:
Turkish jets have destroyed 782 terror targets since the launch of the operation, Anadolu Agency reported.
07:40 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army cleared two villages (Hajilar and Abu Ka'b) from YPG terrorists, Anadolu Agency said.
06:30 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces announced that 1,931 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the start of the Operation Olive Branch.
February 23:
Day 35 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
13:25 GMT:
The Turkish military said in a statement that they are paying high sensitivity to civilians during the operation in Afrin.
"It is known that in the Afrin region, YPG/PKK and Daesh members have worn civilian clothes and have provided training while conducting their terrorist acts under the guise of civilian clothes. Images and information obtained from the region confirm this. Of course, it is impossible to define those who have been neutralised while shooting at our soldiers and using terrorist organisations’ shelters as ‘civilians’," Turkish Armed Forces said.
11:15 GMT:
Turkish military and Free Syrian Army cleared two villages (Bafar and Masqah) Afrin from the YPG.
With the last two villages, the YPG has been defeated from 101 points in Afrin since the operation started.
08:45 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says more than1,870 terrorists neutralised, over 415 square kilometres under Turkish control in Afrin. Operation Olive Branch to continue under new strategy once Afrin city centre is surrounded.
06:50 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces announced that 1873 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the start of Operation Olive Branch.
February 22:
Day 34 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
21:58 GMT:
The Turkish military says it hit a YPG/PKK convoy of 30-40 vehicles destined to Afrin, Anadolu Agency reported.
It added that the YPG/PKK convoy carrying weapons was detected as it approached from the southeast and was repelled 15 kilometres away from the city.
16:50 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army cleared three villages (Zehra, and two neighbourhoods of Korgan) in western Afrin from terrorists.
13:53 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army cleared Rahmanli and Sari Ushagi villages in western Afrin from terrorists.
12:56 GMT:
Turkish National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said: The armed unit, allegedly sent to Afrin by the Syrian regime, has no capacity and never will be able to turn the scale in our fight against terrorism in the region. Whoever is with terrorism will be our target.
10:00 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said: "There are questions of whether pro-regime groups will come [to Afrin]. We don’t oppose anyone that fights against terrorism. But we won’t allow anyone to come into protect the PKK and YPG. No one should worry about Syria’s territorial integrity."
08:23 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkey-backed FSA clear the village of Tal Dilour in Jinderes and the villages of Ali Raju and Miqdad in Bulbul of terrorists.
08:00 GMT:
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesman Bekir Bozdag said: "We don’t want any country, including the US, to support or protect this terror organisation [the YPG/PKK]. We tell all of them directly that Turkey would stand against whomever protects or supports them. If the regime enters [Afrin] disguised as the YPG/PYD, they will be a target. Indeed, if militias do, we will act likewise.”
07:30 GMT:
At least 11 people were arrested in Turkey over an online campaign against Turkey's counter-terrorist military operation in Afrin, according to security sources, Anadolu Agency said.
06:57 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces announced that 1829 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the start of Operation Olive Branch.
February 21:
Day 33 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
12:52 GMT:
YPG/PKK shelled Turkey's border province of Hatay, according to a military source.
Two mortar shells fired from Afrin region of northern Syria landed in Hatay's Kirikhan district, the source who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.
13:05 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said Ankara's stance over the YPG/PKK has not changed, the group eventually will leave the Manbij, where the US soldiers also are stationed.
Related to the talks between the US and Turkey on Manbij dispute, the spokesman said bilateral meetings can be in Ankara as well as in Washington.
12:05 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army liberated Qarababa village in Syria's Afrin from the YPG/PKK.
10:08 GMT:
The Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army liberated Uverkan village in Syria's Afrin from the YPG/PKK.
09:10 GMT:
Turkey's intelligence information shows that the YPG is trying to establish a PKK base in Afrin as in northern Iraq's Qandil, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said.
Kalin also warned that any step taken for the benefit of YPG/PKK in Afrin will be counted as a terrorist act and those making them will be a legitimate target.
06:55 GMT:
Turkish army said 1,780 terrorists "neutralised" since the start of Operation Olive Branch.
February 20:
Day 32 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
20:30 GMT:
The spokesperson for the US Department of State Heather Nauert said that Washington is not equipping anyone in Afrin and the country's forces are not operating there.
"So our knowledge in terms of what is going on in Afrin is somewhat limited," noted.
17:07 GMT:
A convoy of pro-Assad militants entering Syria's northwestern Afrin region turned back after Turkish artillery fire, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, adding the convoy was made up of "terrorists" acting independently.
"Unfortunately, these kind of terror organisations take wrong steps with the decisions they take. It is not possible for us to allow this. They will pay a heavy price," Erdogan told a news conference.
15:47 GMT:
Pro-Assad regime militants trying to enter Afrin withdraw about 10 km away from the city following warning shots from Turkish forces, Anadolu Agency reported.
14:44 GMT:
Syrian TV says Turkish forces shelling area where pro-Assad militants have entered Afrin enclave, journalists flee, the Associated Press reported.
13:50 GMT:
Pro-Assad militants, so-called "Popular Forces" have started to enter the Afrin region in northwest Syria coming from Aleppo, Reuters reported citing a military media unit run by the regime's ally Hezbollah.
12:34 GMT:
Turkish forces and Free Syrian Army has cleared Dayr Savvan village from the YPG/PKK, Anadolu Agency reported.
The village was important which many of the rockets were fired from YPG/PKK area to Kilis province. The last section of the border with the group has been cleared.
12:21 GMT:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the situation in Syria's Afrin could be resolved through direct dialogue between Damascus and Ankara, the Interfax news agency cited him as saying.
10:45 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army cleared Akanli village northern side of Afrin, Anadolu Agency reported.
10:11 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army cleared Mervane and Heygece villages southwest of Afrin.
10:00 GMT:
Turkey's EU minister Omer Celik criticised the country's allies of not supporting Ankara fighting against YPG/PKK.
"Some of our allies who supported us and declared their support for us in our fight against Daesh are not showing the same support in our fight against the PYD and the YPG, which are the PKK terrorist group's Syrian offshoots," he said.
09:08 GMT:
Turkish armed forces and Free Syrian Army have cleared two villages (Charkanli and Arpaviran) from the YPG/PKK in north Afrin, Anadolu Agency reported.
08:42 GMT:
Turkey's Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar visits Jordan's capital Amman.
Akar is expected to discuss ongoing Afrin operation and recent developments in Syria with his counterpart and officials.
07:57 GMT:
Zeytuna, Sorani and Heyyani villages have been cleared of the YPG/PKK in Syria’s Afrin region, in Turkey’s ongoing border mission, Anadolu Agency reported.
07:19 GMT:
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, the news about Syrian regime to help the YPG/PKK in Afrin said it has not entered Afrin yet.
"[The regime] remains unclear whether they will."
06:50 GMT:
Turkish army said 1,715 terrorists "neutralised" since the start of Operation Olive Branch.
06:18 GMT:
Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on his Twitter account that the news about Syrian regime to help the YPG/PKK in Afrin sounds like a propaganda.
"But that does not mean there is not any secret and dirty bargains."
Kalin also emphasised that the Operation Olive Branch will continue as it was planned.
February 19:
Day 31 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
17:15 GMT:
Turkish Deputy PM Bozdag says the news reports that are suggesting Assad forces will take over Afrin are not true.
Bozdag also added that if the Syrian regime sends units to Afrin to defend the YPG/PKK it will have consequences in the region. "This kind of step will cause a disaster for Syria," he said.
The deputy also said 1,641 terrorists "neutralised" since the start of Operation Olive Branch.
16:45 GMT:
Turkish, Iranian presidents stress cooperation in the fight against terrorists over the phone. The presidents exchanged views on developments in Syria, particularly Afrin and Idlib.
14:15 GMT:
The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey will meet in Kazakhstan in two weeks to prepare the ground for an Istanbul summit on Syria, the TASS news agency cited Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Reuters reported.
13:50 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the phone.
Erdogan, Putin agree to continue pursuing cooperation and coordination in the fight against terrorism. The two leaders discussed the latest developments in Afrin and the process of establishing new observation points in the de-escalation zone in Idlib.
12:52 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army took Hantalli and Divan Tahtani villages form YPG/PKK, Anadolu Agency reported.
11:00 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army took Nebi Huri hill Sheran region form YPG/PKK during Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Anadolu Agency reported.
10:53 GMT:
Turkey's Foreign Minister Cavusoglu says in a press conference that it is the reason behind the regime entering Afrin, if it does, is important.
"If the regime enters here [Afrin] to clear it of the YPG/PKK, then there is no problem. But if the regime enters here to protect the YPG, then nothing can stop us, the Turkish army. This goes for Afrin, as well as Manbij. and the east of the Euphrates."
09:00 GMT:
Reuters reports via the Syrian regime's Ikhbariya channel that pro-Syrian regime forces are set to enter northwestern Syria’s Afrin region “within hours”.
08:00 GMT:
Iran understands Turkish concerns over plans of the US in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Speaking at the Discussion Club Valday in Moscow, Zarif said: “Concerns of our Turkish neighboUrs about the US plans in the region can be understood and we need to deal with these concerns. And it is best to do this legally through the Syrian government.”
He also called the US attempt to use the Kurdish factor in Syria as “short-sighted”.
About the Iranian military bases in Syria, he said: “No, we don’t have any.”
06:56 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army cleared three more villages (Ikidam, Sheltah ve Merseva) from YPG/PKK terrorists during Operation Olive Branch in Afrin.
06:49 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces say 1,641 terrorists "neutralised" since the start of Operation Olive Branch.
The Turkish army often uses the word "neutralised" in its statements to imply the militants were either killed, wounded or captured.
February 18:
Day 30 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
16:30 GMT
Turkish and Free Syrian Army forces clear villages of Dervish Ubashi, lower Hecika and Hecika from PYD/PKK terrorists.
11:45 GMT
Turkish security forces hit terror targets in northwestern Syria's Afrin region within range of southern Turkish border districts of Hatay, Anadolu Agency's correspondents on the ground said.
Turkish Armed Forces targeted YPG/PKK positions within sight of Hatay’s Reyhanli, Hassa, and Kirikhan districts.
Turkish army also continued to deploy military vehicles at the border close to the operation area.
07:05 GMT
In a daily briefing, Turkish military announced that the number of the terrorists neutralised since start of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region rises to 1,614.
Turkish army often use the word "neutralised" in its statements to imply the militants were either killed, wounded or captured.
February 17:
Day 29 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
19:15 GMT
In a statement, the General Staff said that one more soldier was killed during Operation Olive Branch. The total number of soldiers killed during the operation has risen to 32.
13:45 GMT
Up to four rockets fired by YPG/PKK terror group hit Turkey’s border province of Kilis.
The rockets landed in a vacant area near the village of Kocabeyli. No casualties were reported.
07:15 GMT
Turkish military says the number of the terrorists neutralised since start of Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, northwestern Syria rises to 1,595.
It also added that 674 targets belonged to PKK-linked terror groups and Daesh have been destroyed in air strikes since the start of the operation.
February 16:
Day 28 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
11:54 GMT:
Turkish armed forces have shelled YPG/PKK positions across the border of Reyhanli, Kirikhan and Hassa districts of Hatay province which terrorists use them to fire rockets against Turkey.
10:50 GMT:
Turkish army and Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Friday liberated two more villages in northwestern Syria from the control of YPG/PKK.
According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, the villages of Hassan Kalkawi and Jalma near Raju town in Afrin were cleared from terrorists.
10:19 GMT:
Following the meeting of Turkish and American chief diplomats, US-Turkey joint statement: Decisively stand against attempts to create faits accomplis and demographic changes within Syria.
“We clearly expressed [to the U.S. side] our expectations with regard to the fight against FETO and the PKK terrorist organisations and the U.S. support for the YPG,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
06:50 GMT:
Turkish military says 1,551 terrorists have been 'neutralised' since the onset of the operation.
February 15:
Day 27 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
20.00 GMT:
Seven Turkish soldiers were injured during the ongoing operation in Afrin, according to a Turkish General Staff statement.
The statement said the soldiers were injured in two different clashes.
The military also wished a speedy recovery to the wounded soldiers.
19:30 GMT:
Turkish military and Free Syrian Army liberated six more villages of YPG/PKK terror group during the day.
According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, the names of the villages are Kharab Summak, Diwan Al Fawqani, Karri, Sharbanli, Shadia, Durakli.
Since the beginning of the operation, 62 different strategic areas have been captured from the terrorists.
They include a town center, 41 villages, three rural areas and 17 strategic mountains or hills.
13:40 GMT:
The Turkish military, Free Syrian Army cleared Harab Summak village of YPG/PKK during Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin.
13:00 GMT:
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States had "never given heavy arms" to the YPG militia and there was, therefore "nothing to take back".
11:16 GMT:
Turkish military and Free Syrian Army forces freed the village of Durakli in the town of Bulbul in northern Afrin on Thursday, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground.
Since the beginning of the operation, 55 different strategic areas have been captured from the YPG/PKK, among them a town centre, 37 villages, three rural areas and 14 strategic mountains or hills.
11:00 GMT:
US Defense Secretary Mattis says the US stands with Turkey on its legitimate security concerns and the two countries maintain an open and honest dialogue.
10:30 GMT:
Turkish Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli says he shared documents with his US counterpart James Mattis, showing that the YPG is an "organic part of the terrorist PKK [organisation]."
He said on Thursday he had told Mattis that the Syrian Kurdish YPG should be removed from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the militia that Washington is backing in the fight against Daesh. Canikli, in a briefing to reporters in Brussels after meeting with the US Defense Secretary, also said he disputed Mattis' characterisation of the SDF as dominated by Arabs, saying the militia was completely controlled by the YPG.
He also said that Mattis told him that the US can separate the PKK from the YPG and that they can force the YPG to fight the PKK. Canikli considers the suggestion as “unrealistic.”
“The US support for the YPG strengthens the PKK as well, and that creates a threat for Turkey’s national security… Mr. Mattis told me that the US would support Turkey’s fight against this terror group in Iraq [PKK]… He also told me that the US doesn’t provide any weapons and ammunition for terror groups in Afrin against Turkey, and the weapons used by the group are not American-made. We continue to work on detecting who provided those weapons to the YPG… For the last three days we have been holding meetings on the Operation Olive Branch. There has been no request from any of the countries to stop our operation.
07:30 GMT:
As the operation in Afrin continues, a number of Turkish troops is based in Idlib in order to set up the sixth observation point, Turkish army announces.
07:15 GMT:
Turkish military says 1,528 terrorists have been 'neutralized' since the onset of the operation.
07:00 GMT:
US Defense Ministry statement on Mattis' meeting with Canikli on Wednesday says that Mattis called for "a renewed focus on the campaign to defeat ISIS [Daesh]," according to Reuters.
February 14:
Day 26 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
17:10 GMT:
Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis met in Brussels to discuss Turkey's Afrin operation on the sidelines of NATO defense ministers' meeting.
11:50 GMT:
Turkish army and Free Syrian Army have cleared northwestern Qude village of YPG/PKK during Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin, Anadolu Agency reported.
10:40 GMT:
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that he hoped to discuss how to work cooperatively to lessen threats to Turkey with his Turkish counterpart during his visit to Ankara on Thursday.
Ankara is concerned about Washington's support to the YPG which it considers a threat to its national security.
06:55 GMT:
Turkish army announced the number of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists that have been neutralised during the Operation Olive Branch is 1,485.
03:35 GMT:
US Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats expressed concern over Turkey's ongoing military operation in Syria.
He said Turkey will seek to thwart "Kurdish ambitions" in the Middle East and claimed its current operation is "complicating" ongoing counter-Daesh activities in the region.
February 13:
Day 25 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
21:00 GMT:
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz discussed bilateral relations and issues concerning Syria in a phone call.
During the call, Erdogan discussed Turkey's ongoing Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin province against YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists.
The Saudi King expressed support for the Geneva process and international efforts regarding the Syria matter while President Erdogan said the Astana process and Sochi Congress are essential parts of the Geneva talks.
20:00 GMT:
US Intelligence Community released its report on the Worldwide Threat Assessment, where they call the YPG Syrian militia of the PKK:
"Kurdish People’s Protection Unit—the Syrian militia of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—probably will seek some form of autonomy but will face resistance from Russia, Iran, and Turkey."
16:10 GMT:
Turkish military and Free Syrian Army have cleared Arshali village in the west of Afrin from the YPG/PKK, Anadolu Agency reported.
13:15 GMT:
NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Turkey has legitimate security concerns to defend itself and they expect to continue to brief the Alliance about its military operations in Syria.
"No NATO ally has suffered more terrorist attacks than Turkey and of course they have the right to address these security concerns. But they should do that in a proportionate and measured way," Stoltenberg added.
12:10 GMT:
Any attempts to found a state along Turkey’s borders will end in failure, said Turkey’s prime minister.
Turkey will eliminate all threats along its borders “wherever they come from,” Binali Yildirim told the governing Justice and Development (AK) Party Provincial Congress in the eastern Erzincan province.
“Those who want to found a state along our borders will be disappointed,” he said.
Referring to the YPG/PKK, the focus of the current Turkish-led operation in Afrin, northwestern Syria, along Turkey’s borders, Yildirim called on the US “to cut its support to those murderers [YPG/PKK] and stop giving them weapons.”
08:45 GMT:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the US decision to give financial support to the YPG/PKK will affect Ankara's decisions, referring to Pentagon's 2019 budget that would provide 550 million dollars to the SDF/YPG/PKK. He adds that the US should act responsibly within NATO alliance.
Regarding the critics against civilians, Erdogan said: If we were not mindful of civilians we would have levelled Afrin to the ground, and already taken it.
07:35 GMT:
The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says that Washington was keenly aware of Turkey's security concerns but remained concerned over recent events in Syria's Afrin region.
Tillerson made his comments in Jordan's Amman before his visit to Ankara in which he is scheduled to meet with high Turkish officials to talk about recent developments in Syria and bilateral relations.
06:55 GMT:
Turkish army announced the number of YPG terrorists that have been neutralised during the Operation Olive Branch is 1,439.
February 12:
Day 24 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
17:15 GMT:
The Pentagon has allocated 550 million dollars in its 2019 budget for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which dominated by the YPG/PKK, Anadolu Agency reported.
$300 million will be used for their train and equip program and $250 million will be used for border security forces that previously was established.
11:50 GMT:
Turkish armed forces and Free Syrian Army have cleared Muhammadiyah village from YPG/PKK in western Afrin as a part of Operation Olive Branch.
Turkish army also said that they have destroyed 627 positions belonging to the YPG since the beginning the operation.
It added that 31 Turkish soldiers have been killed while 143 soldiers injured during the operation.
09:00 GMT:
"Our expectations from the United States are clear. We don't want assurances anymore; we want concrete steps. Either we restore our relations, or they will completely break down," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.
07:40 GMT:
Turkish interior ministry said that 474 people were detained for promoting the YPG/PKK on their social media accounts, and 192 people for attending the protests against the Turkish military's operation in Afrin since the operation started, Anadolu Agency reported on Monday.
07:00 GMT:
Turkish military declares a total of 1,369 terrorists 'neutralised' since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin.
Turkish army often use the word "neutralised" in its statements to imply the militants were either killed, wounded or captured.
February 11:
Day 23 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
19:45 GMT:
Turkey has sent more reinforcements to its southern border, as Operation Olive Branch enters its fourth week.
Dozens of tanks were seen moving towards the region inTurkey's Hatay province. They're expected to be deployed in Syria's Afrin region.
14:27 GMT:
Turkish soldiers and Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters have cleared Serincek village in Syria's northwestern Afrin region of YPG/PKK terrorists.
The development came after Turkish military and the FSA liberated Hec Iskendere village in Afrin.
08:00 GMT:
At least 1,266 YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists have been "neutralised" since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in the Afrin region, the Turkish military said on Sunday.
Turkish army often use the word "neutralised" in its statements to imply the militants were either killed, wounded or captured.
February 10:
Day 22 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
19:40 GMT:
At least 11 Turkish soldiers were killed in separate incidents on Saturday, Turkish military said, in the deadliest day since Operation Olive Branch that began on January 20.
The Turkish Armed Forces statement said that two soldiers were killed when a military helicopter went down, while nine other soldiers were killed in separate clashes in Afrin region. Eleven soldiers were wounded in the fighting.
At least 39 YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists were "neutralised" during Saturday's operation, the statement said.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralised" in their statements to imply the militants were either killed, wounded or captured.
17:00 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces statement says three of its members were killed and five wounded during Operation Olive Branch on Saturday.
The statement added that Turkish Armed Forces had "neutralised" 15 PKK/YPG/KCK and Daesh terrorists within the scope of Operation Olive Branch.
14:42 GMT:
Turkish soldiers and Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters on Saturday captured Deir Ballut village in western Afrin from YPG/PKK terrorists during the ongoing military operation in northwestern Syria.
Since the operation began, Turkish forces and the FSA have liberated a total of 47 zones, including 30 villages and 13 strategic mountains or hills.
12:15 GMT:
A Turkish military helicopter was downed in southern Hatay province during Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
President Erdogan further said that the perpetrators will pay a heavy price for downing the Turkish helicopter.
07:30 GMT:
At least 1,141 YPG/PKK or Daesh terrorists have been "neutralised" since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin, the Turkish military said on Saturday.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralised" in their statements to imply the militants were either killed, wounded or captured.
February 9:
Day 21 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
16:00 GMT:
The governing Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman confirmed that 400 Daesh prisoners had been released in northern Syria to fight Turkey.
"It is confirmed that 400 Daesh prisoners in Raqqa, Afrin and Deir Ezzor were released on the condition that they will fight against Turkey," Mahir Unal said at a news conference. following a Central Decision and Executive Board meeting of the AK Party.
15:45 GMT:
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will press Turkey to rein in its military operation in northern Syria during a visit to the NATO ally next week, a senior US official said.
"That's going to be a difficult conversation," the official told reporters in a briefing about Tillerson's Feb. 11-16 trip to Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Kuwait.
Speaking of US-Turkish relations, he added: "Look it's difficult. The rhetoric is hot. The Turks are angry, and this is a difficult time to do business but it's our belief that there are still some very fundamental underlying shared interests."
15:30 GMT:
Turkey's Foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that there are many countries that support the YPG besides the US.
"When we started Operation Euphrates Shield against Daesh, none said to be careful on civilians or to keep the operation short. But when we launched the operation against the YPG/PKK, they started to say "Okay, we understand your security concerns but watch out for civilians, keep it short, this and that. They also started making black propaganda," Cavusoglu said.
12:15 GMT:
The Turkish military and Free Syrian Army liberated five villages from the PKK-related YPG terror group.
So far in the ongoing operation, a total of 46 zones, including 29 villages and 13 strategic mountains and hills have been cleared from terrorists.
07:30 GMT:
The Turkish military said 19 PKK/YPG terrorist targets destroyed in air strikes in Syria's Afrin.
It also said that 1062 terrorists had 'neutralised' since the operation started.
04:00 GMT:
Turkish warplanes resumed strikes on YPG targets in Syria's Afrin region on Thursday after a five-day lull that followed the shooting down of Russian warplane in Syria's Idlib, another region in the south of Afrin which is controlled by the opposition groups and al Qaeda affiliated Hayat Tahrir al Sham.
Turkey had halted its air strikes as Russia worked on its air defence system after Syrian rebels shot down a Russian warplane in Idlib on Feb. 3.
February 8:
Day 20 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
21:00 GMT:
Turkish Air Forces launched air raids on Mount Baflune, southwestern of Mount Bursaya which is under the control of Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army units (FSA).
Turkish warplanes hit six targets of the YPG/PKK terror group during the air operation, according to the Anadolu Agency.
20:05 GMT:
US Defense Minister Jim Mattis announced that he will meet with his Turkish counterpart Nurettin Canikli next week.
Mattis also stressed that there is continuation of a pressure by Turkey for Manbij but the situation has not changed at the moment.
14:55 GMT:
Turkey’s former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on an exclusive interview with TRT World asks the US to be empathetic to Turkey’s security concerns and compares how Washington would act to a country that supports a terrorist organisation on its borders.
14:10 GMT:
Turkish European Union Minister Omer Celik denounced the bloc's comment over Turkish border mission in Afrin against terrorists.
Celik said that Ankara is using its right to self-defence which is provided by international law.
"The EU is showing sympathy to terrorist organisations," mentioning the groups that don't attack Europe.
10:15 GMT:
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and 356 member chambers and commodity exchanges expressed their support of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin.
9:55 GMT:
Speaking at an event at the presidential palace, Erdogan strongly rejects the calls of the main opposition leader to establish contact with Syria’s Assad.
"What do have to talk about with a murderer who killed one million of his own citizens?" he asked. "Assad has created a terror state, and he continues to kill people."
08:10 GMT:
Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy responds to French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's statement claiming that Turkey had targeted civilians in the operation and “violated international law.”
“Our country is determined to use its legitimate right to self-defence to the furthest extent,” Aksoy said in a written statement.
“We expect our allies to take part in the fight against terrorist organizations in Afrin and not fall in a position that supports terrorist organizations with the steps they take and the words they utter.”
“The operation Turkey is conducting, contrary to the claims of the French minister, is preventing the addition of a new war to the war in Syria. We expect our allies to see this fact,” Aksoy added.
07:40 GMT:
Visiting a YPG outpost in northern Syria, senior US commanders have pledged that their troops would remain in the northern Syrian town of Manbij despite Turkey's demands for a US pullout.
"I can't speak to Turkey's intentions. What I do know is that our presence here has enabled this area to be stable. So our senior leadership, Secretary (of State Rex) Tillerson has laid out our end-state for Syria most recently, and so we need to stay here until that political environment is stable and our security here, our presence here provides that level of stabilization and brings security," said Major General Jamie Jarrord, US Army special forces.
07:27 GMT:
Turkey's President Erdogan, in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, discusses the latest situation in Syria's Afrin and Idlib. They agree to speed up the establishment of more observation points in the Idlib de-escalation zone.
They also agree to hold another Syria summit between Turkey, Russia and Iran in Istanbul. Russia's Sochi hosted the first summit.
06:58 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces say 1028 terrorists have been 'neutralised' since the start of the operation.
February 7:
Day 19 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
19:05 GMT:
An attack conducted by the YPG/PKK terrorist organisation in Afrin region against Turkish Armed Forces killed two soldiers and injured eleven.
The attack occurred where Turkish forces cleared Sheikh Horuz village of militants. The number of the Turkish soldiers that is killed in Afrin operation raised to 19.
13:45 GMT:
Turkish army and Free Syrian Army have taken control of Sheikh Horuz village in northern Afrin as part of Operation Olive Branch, Anadolu Agency reported.
The Turkish forces and FSA have cleared a total of 40 zones, including 24 villages and 12 strategic mountains or hills from the YPG since the onset of Operation Olive Branch.
13:20 GMT:
The YPG positions located cross-border of Turkey's Hatay province are under heavy bombardment by Turkish army, Anadolu Agency reported.
Military helicopters are also conducting aerial support to the tanks where many military vehicles and units were dispatched in the borderline.
11:30 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has visited Tehran and met with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif. Two ministers discussed the latest developments in Afrin and Idlib.
Later, Cavusoglu met with Iranian President Rouhani. After their meeting, Iranian President's office released a statement, saying that Cavusoglu had told them Turkey aimed to fight against terrorist groups in Syria, and had underlined the importance of country's territorial integrity.
10:40 GMT:
Turkey's Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin confirmed the visit of National Security Advisor HR McMaster to Ankara over the weekend to discuss Turkey’s Operation Olive Branch and Manbij as Washington is standing as the main supporter of the YPG.
He also confirmed US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's visit which is scheduled for February 15 in Ankara. During the visit, Ankara will ask Washington to halt support for the YPG and take the provided arms back.
The spokesman also said that they have not contacted with the Syrian regime during the operation and "currently there is no question of establishing any such contact [with regime]."
Regarding Iran's comments against Turkey's operation, Kalin said Ankara expects friends, allies and neighbouring countries to be empathetic to Turkey's priorities and interests.
"Because we always have this attitude (empathetic) when it comes to such a terrorist attack or threat against those countries. It is our natural right to expect the same attitude from them," the spokesman added.
07:05 GMT:
Turkish army said in a press release that 29 YPG/PKK, Daesh terrorists had been 'neutralised' on Wednesday.
The number of neutralised YPG/PKK, Daesh members raised to 999 since the beginning of the operation, the army said.
07:00 GMT:
Turkish forces have prevented a suicide attack by a YPG/PKK member who was trying to blow a bomb-loaded truck near Free Syrian Army positions, Anadolu Agency reported.
A Turkish military tank destroying the truck was filmed which shows a huge fire have raised from the vehicle.
06:00 GMT:
The United Nations voiced the dire consequences of the compounded humanitarian crisis in Afrin, Raqqa, al Hassakeh and several parts of the country, said UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UN Representatives in Syria in a statement.
Related to Afrin, the UN says ongoing military operations, on one hand, and the reported blockage of exits by other forces [YPG], on the other hand, have virtually trapped many civilians preventing them from accessing safer areas, the statement said.
"So far, 380 families have reached surrounding villages and Aleppo neighbourhoods while thousands of people have been displaced within Afrin. As the fighting escalates, the number of civilians affected by violence is bound to increase," it added.
February 6:
Day 18 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
19:30 GMT:
The European Union (EU) understands Turkey's security concerns and fight against terrorism but it could derail a political solution to the conflict in Syria, said the bloc's chief of diplomacy Frederica Mogherini.
“The Afrin offensive could have political consequences on the internal balances inside the future Syria at large and on the potential of political negotiations because the new escalation of violence can push away the chances for a political solution to the conflict,” said Mogherini, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
“We need to concentrate all of us in supporting the UN-lead negotiations in Geneva. The war in Syria is not over yet,” she added during a speech in the discussion at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
11:30 GMT:
Three civilians were killed and 15 others were injured when the YPG/PKK shelled a refugee camp—set by Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority in Syria—in Idlib province in northwestern Syria, Prime Minister's office said.
They fired a mortar shell from Jindaras area in northwestern Afrin into the Atma refugee camp in Idlib, according to the Anadolu Agency correspondent in Atma village.
10:30 GMT:
The YPG/PKK sent an estimated 500 terrorists from Syria's Hasakah and Ain al Arab (Kobani) areas to Afrin under the guise of "civilian solidarity visits", sources in Afrin and Hasakah told to Anadolu Agency.
The sources, whose names have been withheld due to security concerns, said that numerous individuals had left the YPG-held Qamishli, Darbasiyah, Malikiya, Hasakah and Kathaniya settlements on Monday for Ain al Arab near Syria’s border with Turkey. They merged with other YPG members in Ain al Arab and moved to Afrin later at night.
Last week, the group had announced plans to arrange a "civilian solidarity convoy" from YPG-held region of northern Syria to Afrin.
09:45 GMT:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the US troops should leave Syria’s Manbij as Turkey aims to return the region ‘to its true owners.’
Erdogan said that majority of population in Manbij was Arabs and the city was occupied by the YPG/PKK.
Erdogan urged Washington to explain why it is not taking arms back from the YPG in northern Syria, saying a failure to do so means the US is either 'planning something against us or Russia or Iran.'
08:00 GMT:
At least 10 people were arrested for promoting the YPG/PKK on their social media accounts, according to a police source, Anadolu Agency said.
Anti-terror squads conducted simultaneous operations in the Kulu and Karapinar districts of central Konya province, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
"The suspects allegedly voiced their support for the terrorist groups YPG/PKK and spread black propaganda against the ongoing Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region," the source added.
06:55 GMT:
Total of 970 terrorists 'neutralised' since the beginning of the Operation Olive Branch in Syria, Turkish Armed Forces said in a statement.
Turkish army also informed 23 terrorists have been 'neutralised' during the ongoing operations on Tuesday.
February 5:
Day 17 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
16:25 GMT:
Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag denounced news reports about a Russian restriction of using Syrian airspace for Ankara.
He said that there was no problem with the use of Syria's airspace for Afrin region.
"We are effectively using aircrafts in operation," Bozdag said.
15:55 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army have cleared another village and a hill from terrorists that were under the YPG control, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surgeys hill and the village Amude (Dikmetash) is located in the eastern site of Afrin, near Azaz.
15:45 GMT:
A Turkish soldier killed by the YPG terrorists by a mortar attack in Kuri area outskirts of the Afrin region, Turkish armed forces said.
A total of 16 Turkish soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the operation.
15:30 GMT:
Turkey released on probation of all eleven executives of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) that were taken into custody last week after they denounced Operation Olive Branch.
Turkey’s Health Ministry previously had sued the TTB for conducting “activities outside of its remit” and called for the suspension of the activities of the association’s central council.
14:45 GMT:
Turkish armed forces said that the YPG terrorists have hit another Turkish tank near the Darmik mountain in Syria's Afrin region. There were no casualties and only the tank was slightly damaged, it added.
09.00 GMT:
Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army forces have captured Sourkeh village of PKK/YPG terrorists in northwestern Syria, near the Turkish border.
Since the beginning of the operation, 35 different strategic areas have been cleared from the terror groups.
05.00 GMT:
Turkish military says it has neutralised 12 terrorists of PKK/YPG and Daesh terror groups.
The figures raise the number of terrorists neutralised during the operation to 947. The military generally uses the term "neutralise" to signify that the targets were killed, captured or surrendered.
February 4:
Day 16 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
11.05 GMT:
Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army have liberated Haj Bilal village of PKK/YPG in western Afrin, Syria.
The village marks the 32nd location that has been cleared from terrorists so far.
A town center, 21 villages, one rural settlement and nine strategic hills are among the locations liberated.
10:00 GMT:
Turkish soldiers and Free Syrian Army fighters have liberated the Haruz Hill in northern Afrin, from the occupation of PKK/YPG terror group.
The Bulbul town center was secured after the capture of Haruz hill, Turkish security sources told Anadolu Agency, adding the operations against terror targets nearby were ongoing.
09:00 GMT:
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said if the PKK/YPG terror group does not leave Syria's strategic Manbij, Turkey will move there and towards east of Euphrates River.
Manbij is located at 30 km south of Turkish border and currently controlled by the PKK/YPG.
07:00 GMT:
Turkish military announced in its daily briefing that it has neutralised 35 terrorists and destroyed five targets used as arms depots and shelters by terror groups in Syria’s Afrin region.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesman Bekir Bozdag said in total 932 terrorists have been neutralised so far during Operation Olive Branch.
February 3:
Day 15 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
22:17 GMT:
Turkey's President Erdogan holds a phone call with his French counterpart in which they discuss Operation Olive Branch and the outcome of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress held in the Russian coastal city of Sochi this past week.
President Erdogan also informed President Macron about the cross-border rocket attacks launched by the YPG/PKK terror organisation on Turkey's border provinces.
17:32 GMT:
Five Turkish soldiers are killed when their tank was hit by an anti-tank missile in northwest Syria’s Afrin region, Turkey’s armed forces say.
It is important to mention that the US has been supplying arms and ammunition to the YPG, including anti-tank missiles.
One Turkish was also killed in clashes with YPG/PKK terror group while another was killed in an attack on the border area in Turkey's Kilis, the armed forces say.
The total death toll for Turkish troops since the start of operation now stands at 13.
14:52 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces launch an air operation targeting terrorist shelters, hideouts and weapon depots in areas from which the YPG/PKK attacked a Turkish tank in Sheikh Haruz in northeast Afrin.
10:50 GMT:
At least nine civilians are injured when the PKK/YPG terror group fired several missiles from Syria's Afrin on a marketplace in Azaz town near the Turkish border.
10:25 GMT:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish troops are getting closer to Afrin city center in a speech during the 6th Ordinary Provincial Congress Meeting of Turkey's ruling AK Party in Bitlis province of Turkey.
07:00 GMT:
Turkish military says it has neutralised 74 PKK/ YPG and Daesh terrorists and destroyed 15 targets used as arms depots and shelter by the group members.
The military generally uses the term "neutralise" to signify that the targets were killed, captured or surrendered.
The latest figures increase the numbers of terrorists neutralised so far to 897 as Operation Olive Branch enters its third week.
February 2:
Day 14 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
22:37 GMT:
AA reports that a PKK/YPG supporters attacked the car of a Turkish citizen with sticks, as about 600 PKK/YPG supporters were demonstrating in Lebenstedt district of Salzgitter province near the city centre.
Germany has experienced a growing number of radical protests and violence by PKK/YPG supporters since the group launched a campaign two weeks ago to protest Turkey’s Operation Olive Branch.
17:25 GMT:
Turkish authorities said on Friday they have detained eight suspects in connection with a bomb blast which rocked the capital Ankara on Thursday and left three people injured.
A ninth suspect was killed during the operation to round up the group, they said.
The suspect who was killed had entered Turkey illegally and received training from a branch of the YPG/PKK, the governor's office said.
16:40 GMT:
Two civilians were killed in Turkey on Friday in a rocket attack launched from the YPG/PKK controlled area in Syria.
Nineteen others were injured as six rockets landed in the Hatay province’s Reyhanli district, according to a press statement issued by Hatay governor's office. The rockets were aimed at civilians, as they hit a house and exploded near a market.
15:30 GMT:
US and Turkey have talked about the YPG-controlled Manbij region in Syria, but they are not going to share details publicly, says US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
Manbij is the area where US soldiers are stationed.
15:15 GMT:
The US is making a mistake by aiding the YPG, an organisation in Syria “under the direct control” of the PKK, Serdar Kilic, Ankara's ambassador to Washington has said.
Since taking control of northwestern Syria, across the Turkish border, the terrorist YPG/PKK “started conducting attacks against Turkish territory and its civilians. In last year alone, they have conducted 700 attacks,” Kilic told the PBS Newshour late Thursday.
13:00 GMT:
Turkish armed forces have captured and raised a Turkish flag on a strategic mountain, Darmik.
The YPG uses the mountain in Syria's Afrin region to launch rocket attacks on civilians in Turkey's border provinces of Hatay and Kilis.
The mountain has been cleared from terrorists following aerial and land operations.
09:00 GMT
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that five civilians lost their lives and more than 100 injured, plus damage to buildings, mosques in PYD/PKK rocket attacks so far.
Three rocket attacks targeted in the latest rockets attacks in Turkey’s two border towns, Reyhanli and Kilis, with Syria in a simultaneous attack launched from YPG-held Afrin.
One civilian was killed and 10 others were injured, one of whom in critical condition.
07:00 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) announced that 823 terrorists 'neutralised' since the onset of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region.
The military generally uses the term "neutralise" to signify that the targets were killed, captured or surrendered.
TAF also said that 6 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh positions have been destroyed by aerial bombardment overnight.
February 1:
Day 13 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
22:34 GMT:
A high-ranking official from the US State Department told AA that the US saw the attacks by the YPG against Turkish citizens as unacceptable. "We are concerned about the death of the 17 year-old girl in Reyhanli as well as all civilian deaths."
"We call on all sides to exercise restraint and prevent civilian deaths."
22:00 GMT:
Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani says that Qatar supports any country that protects its border while referring to Turkey's Afrin operation.
"What’s happening in Afrin is done by coordination with other forces there," he said. "They [Turkey] are trying to protect their border and I think it's the right of any country to protect its border."
21:22 GMT:
Jordanian Senate President Faisal al Fayez says that Turkey "wants to see a secure, stable, and unitary Syria," during a meeting of the Turkey-Jordan Friendship Commission.
19.15 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces say 21 terrorists have been "neutralised" and 14 positions of YPG/PKK and Daesh have been destroyed during day 13 of Operation Olive Branch.
The total number of terrorists that have been "neutralised" reaches 811.
17:40 GMT:
The Pentagon condemns every YPG/PKK attack against Turkey, referring to the recent rocket attacks from Syria's Afrin region.
17:10 GMT:
Canada is closely monitoring the situation in Afrin including its impact on civilians said Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“Canada recognises Turkey’s legitimate security concerns. However, we urge restraint and call for every possible effort to be made to protect civilians and fully respect international humanitarian law," the ministry issued in a statement.
14:40 GMT:
Two rockets launched from YPG-held Afrin hits urban areas in Turkey's Kilis border town.
A rocket hit a historical restaurant which reportedly led to many casualties. The other one hit a building where residents were living.
A large number of security forces and ambulances were deployed to the area.
Two other rockets that were fired from Afrin in the morning also hit the urban areas which targeted civilian houses but there were no reported casualties.
14:25 GMT:
The Syrian regime describes Turkey's operation against terrorists in Syria's Afrin region as an illegal "aggression" and said it would deal with it accordingly.
"The Turkish military operation in northern Syria is a blatant aggression," Reuters reported a regime foreign ministry statement which circulated on the regime media.
14:07 GMT:
Turkish military and Free Syrian Army forces capture Bulbul town centre in northern Afrin, Syria from YPG.
14:00 GMT:
Tunahan Kuzu, head of the Dutch Denk Party, tells AA that the political parties in the Netherlands need to open their eyes and see the reality of the YPG/PKK.
"By using symbols belonging to terror organisations in their demonstrations, PKK and YPG supporters provoke society (Turks) here and create tensions," he said.
13:35 GMT:
A total of 800 terrorists have been killed in Syria's northwestern Afrin region as part of the operation, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
12:30 GMT:
French President Macron, changing his earlier position on Turkey's operation, said at a press conference that "...the reaction of the Turkish foreign minister probably means that (the operation) is nothing more than to secure the border and that Turkey does not intend to go further than the positions which it occupies today or to stay in the region in the long-term."
His words came after a curt response from Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who underlined that Turkey was using its right to self defence, and accused France of being two-faced.
"We consider a country like France giving us reminders about an operation we are carrying out in accordance with international laws to be insults."
"We are using our right to self defence, this is in line with UN Security Council decisions and not an invasion. They shouldn't be two-faced," he said.
10:00 GMT:
Turkish and FSA forces cleared the village of Ali Kar, located in the northern Bulbul town of the YPG. This led them to take full control of a large zone in Afrin's north together with the previously cleared village of Shenkal and Zahran regions.
January 31:
Day 12 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
22:00 GMT:
Rocket launched from YPG-held Afrin hits Turkey's Reyhanli border town, injuring one.
13:40 GMT:
The fifth rocket on Wednesday fired from the YPG areas in Afrin and hit Reyhanli town of Hatay province.
13:00 GMT:
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed the Afrin operation, developments in Iraq and Sochi meeting with his American counterpart Rex Tillerson on the phone.
12:50 GMT:
Turkish and Russian presidents, in a phone call conversation, have reached a mutual understanding regarding their cooperation in Afrin operation, according to Turkish presidential sources.
They also agreed that Ankara should accelerate the deployment of Turkish military observers in the de-escalation zone in Idlib area, sources said.
11:40 GMT:
The fourth rocket fired from the YPG areas in Afrin and hit Reyhanli town of Hatay province, wounded a civilian.
11:25 GMT:
The third rocket fired from the YPG areas in Afrin and hit Reyhanli town of Hatay province.
10:20 GMT:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the recent developments in Idlib, Afrin and Sochi meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the phone.
10:15 GMT:
Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim responded to critics regarding Turkish army's operation in Afrin, stating that the aim is to clean the region from terrorists.
"The whole world knows, and should know that Turkey has no invasion motive. The Operation Euphrates Shield proved it," he added.
09:20 GMT:
French President Emmanuel Macron said Turkey’s operation against the YPG/PKK terror group in northern Syria should not become an excuse to invade the country and said he wanted Ankara to coordinate its action with its allies.
"If it turns out that this operation takes a turn other than to fight a potential terrorist threat to the Turkish border and becomes an invasion operation, (then) this becomes a real problem for us," Macon said in an interview with Le Figaro newspaper.
09:10 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army have liberated the Baq Ubasi village in Afrin from the YPG/PKK terrorists, Anadolu Agency reported.
09:00 GMT:
Following the rocket attacks from Afrin region, Turkish army is bombarding the YPG positions in Darmiq mountain.
07:25 GMT:
Two rockets fired from the YPG positions in Afrin hit a house in Hatay's border town Reyhanli.
A large number of security forces were deployed following the explosion which reportedly killed a 17-year-old girl and wounded another civilian.
Since the start of the operation, Kilis, another border province with Syria, has been repeatedly hit by the YPG rockets which claimed two lives and wounded more than 20.
07:00 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) announced that 712 terrorists 'neutralised' since the onset of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region.
TAF also said that 22 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh positions have been destroyed by aerial bombardment in the 11th day of the operation.
January 30:
Day 11 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
18:45 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army units have liberated al Qana village in western Afrin from PKK/YPG terrorists following an operation launched in the Raju district.
Twenty four areas have been cleared as of day 11 of Operation Olive Branch, launched on January 20.
18:15 GMT:
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - dominated by the terrorist YPG/PKK has repositioned some of its forces in northern Syria amid a Turkish operation in the Afrin region, the Pentagon admitted Tuesday in an email to Anadolu Agency.
“We are aware the SDF has repositioned some forces in response to recent tensions, however, this was not under coalition direction,” Defense Department spokesman Maj. Adrian Rankine Galloway said.
Asked where the SDF forces have been repositioned, Galloway said: "I don't speak for the SDF.”
12:25 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) airdropped messages in three languages (Turkish, Arabic and Kurdish) in Afrin urging the public to take a stand against terrorists.
The note calls on people to work together to establish peace, trust, and prosperity to the region citing "Afrin belongs to the people of Afrin."
10:30 GMT:
Turkish Air Forces (TAF) announced that they are not using any weapons restricted by international law such as napalm, chemical or biological ammunitions.
It also said that religious, cultural, historical and archaeological sites are not among targets and "the stories that are made by terrorists and their supporters" aim to undermine the international legitimacy of Afrin operation.
09:15 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) took full control of the two villages in western Afrin, according to Anadolu Agency.
07:40 GMT:
A rocket fired from the YPG positions in Afrin fell to an area full of olive trees in the border city of Kilis.
A large number of security forces were deployed following the explosion of the rocket which reportedly led no casualties.
06:55 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke about Sochi meeting, Operation Olive Branch and developing issues in Syria with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the phone, Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
05:55 GMT:
Eleven executives of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) who denounced Operation Olive Branch were taken into custody.
Turkey's Health Ministry on Monday sued the TTB for conducting "activities outside of its remit" and called for the suspension of the activities of the association's central council.
05:50 GMT:
649 terrorists 'neutralised' since the onset of Operation Olive Branch in Syria: Turkish military.
January 29:
Day 10 of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
10.30 GMT:
Turkish Air Forces (TAF) announced that they are not using anything that is against the international law such as napalm, chemical or biological ammunitions.
Turkish military says religious, cultural, historical and archaeological sites are not among targets of Afrin operation adding that the news that is made by "terrorist groups and their supporters" aims to undermine international legitimacy.
07:40 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces said 597 terrorists have been killed during Operation Olive Branch in Afrin region.
07:30 GMT:
Turkey's Interior Ministry statement said 311 suspects arrested so far for making terror propaganda on social media regarding Afrin operation.
January 28:
Day nine of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
17:20 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces said on Sunday that 557 terrorists have been 'neutralised' as part of ongoing Operation Olive Branch in Syria.
14:50 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) took full control of the Qestel Cindo village, located in south of Mount Bursaya, according to the FSA sources.
11:38 GMT:
Turkish forces and FSA fighters have captured the strategic Bursaya mountain in Syria's Afrin region, Anadolu Agency reported on Sunday.
The mountain was used by YPG/PKK terrorists to launch rockets into Turkey's border town of Kilis.
11:32 GMT:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that the Turkish-led Operation Olive Branch will soon capture a strategic peak in Afrin used by YPG/PKK militants to launch cross-border attacks.
"I just talked with the commander. He said, 'I hope we will soon capture Mt. Bursaya as well'," he said in remarks during a rally in the central Corum province.
08:32 GMT:
Heavy clashes erupted on Sunday between Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters and YPG/PKK terrorists at Bursaya mountain in Afrin region, Anadolu Agency reported.
The terrorist group use the mountain to target civilians in the centre of Turkey's Kilis province and Syria's Azaz district through mortar shells, artillery, and missiles.
06:00 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces say that 484 terrorists have been "neutralised" in the on-going Operation Olive Branch so far.
Turkish military often uses the word "neutralised" in their statements to imply that the militants in Syria's Afrin region were either captured or killed.
The Turkish military said that five Turkish soldiers and 15 Free Syria Army (FSA) fighters have been killed so far in the Afrin campaign.
January 27:
Day eight of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
17:50 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces say in a statement that 447 terrorists have so far been ‘neutralised’ in the on-going Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region.
12:00 GMT:
Two civilians were injured when a rocket fired by YPG/PKK terrorists from Syria's Afrin region hit the roof of a five-story building in the Turkish border province of Kilis, Anadolu Agency reported.
08:54 GMT:
Turkish military and fighters of Free Syrian Army (FSA) have freed Ali Bekki village in northwest of Afrin from YPG/PKK terrorists, according to Anadolu Agency.
Over 10 terrorists were "neutralised" during the campaign and a camp was seized, the news agency said.
08:00 GMT:
US Security Adviser McMaster has confirmed that US will not give weapons to YPG/PKK terrorists, in a conversation with Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin.
Kalin and McMaster spoke by phone on Friday evening, according to Anadolu Agency.
Both sides agreed on maintaining close coordination during Turkey's military operation in northern Syria "to prevent misunderstandings."
07:00 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) said on Saturday that 394 terrorists have been "neutralised" since the beginning of operation in Afrin region.
TAF said that 340 YPG/PKK and Daesh targets were destroyed in the air strikes so far.
The Turkish military said that three Turkish soldiers were also killed and 30 others injured.
The week-long fighting also claimed lives of 13 Free Syria Army (FSA) fighters besides injuring 121 others.
January 26:
Day seven of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
09:00 GMT:
President Tayyip Erdogan promised to sweep militants from the length of Turkey's Syrian border.
He said that Ankara could extend the operation in northwest Syria all the way east to the border with Iraq.
Speaking to provincial leaders from his governing AK Party, Erdogan said that after its ongoing operation in Afrin, in Syria's northwest, Turkey would continue to the east, including the town of Manbij.
07:25 GMT:
Turkey's Minister of Health Ahmet Demircan said three Turkish soldiers and 11 Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters have been killed since the beginning of the operation.
06:20 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) said at least 343 YPG/PKK terrorists have been killed since the beginning of operation in northwestern Afrin.
8. “Zeytin Dalı Harekâtı” kapsamında şu ana kadar bölgeden elde edilen bilgilere göre; en az 343 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG ve DEAŞ terör örgütü mensubunun etkisiz hale getirildiği tespit edilmiştir.
— TSK (@TSKGnkur) January 26, 2018
00:45 GMT:
The Pentagon says that there was no crisis between Turkey and the US amid the Turkish Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria.
“We're not in a crisis, Turkey is an ally, and we're going to work with them,” the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson Dana White told reporters.
“But this current -- this current issue, […], is a distraction. And we have to focus as allies and -- on the mission at hand, and that's defeating ISIS,” said White using a different acronym for terrorist group Daesh.
January 25:
Day six of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
22:30 GMT:
US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert on Thursday answering a reporters question regarding Turkey's operation in Afrin said, " Turkey has taken eyes off ISIS (Daesh) and is going after PKK."
Turkey considers PYD/YPG as the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terror organisation.
18:30 GMT:
At least 306 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists have been neutralized since the beginning of the Operation Olive Branch in northwestern Syria, the military said Thursday.
14 aircraft taking part in the operation returned to their bases after hitting 25 terrorist targets, the statement added.
18:00 GMT:
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited a military command centre in southern Hatay province on Thursday as the ongoing operation in northern Syria entered its sixth day, according to a presidential source.
17:15 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday said that it would not be right for Turkey and the United States to discuss a potential "safe zone" in Syria until trust issues between the two NATO allies are resolved.
10:45 GMT:
Two rockets fired Thursday evening by PYD terrorists in northwestern Syria's Afrin hit an open area in Reyhanlı in Turkey's southern Hatay province near the border.
No casualties reported.
09:00 GMT:
US-backed YPG terror group pleads to Assad regime to counter Turkey's Operation Olive Branch Operation.
"We call on the Syrian state to undertake its sovereign obligations and protect its borders with Turkey from the attacks," the terrorist group said according to Edward Dark, an Al-Monitor contributor in Aleppo.
January 24:
Day five of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
21:15 GMT:
President Erdogan and Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani discussed in a phone conversation Turkish military operation in Afrin, according to a presidential source.
Al-Thani said Qatar supported Turkey's fight against terrorism.
The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to developing bilateral relations.
20:30 GMT:
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump discussed the ongoing Turkish military operation in Afrin, Syria in a phone conversation.
Erdogan and Trump exchanged views on the latest developments in Syria and Operation Olive Branch launched by Turkey on Saturday which is aimed at fighting off threats from PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorist organisations, according to presidential sources.
President Erdogan also reiterated Ankara's request from Washington to stop providing arms to the PYD/YPG terrorists in Syria.
15:10 GMT:
At least two civilians were killed and eleven others were injured when two rockets fired from Syria's Afrin by YPG/PKK terrorists hit a mosque and a house in the Turkish border province of Kilis, according to the provincial governor's website.
14:45 GMT:
The Turkish General Staff says at least 287 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists have been neutralized since the beginning of the Operation Olive Branch in Syria.
14:10 GMT:
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Rex Tillerson has proposed to create a 30km “secure zone” in Syria’s Afrin to secure Turkey's border area, Anadolu Agency reported.
13.15 GMT:
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed military operations in northern Syria with his American counterpart Rex Tillerson, Reuters reported.
11.29 GMT:
Turkish premier Binali Yildirim says 214 targets were hit and destroyed as part of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region.
9.30 GMT:
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will proceed with the operation until the last member of the YPG/PKK terrorist organisation — that has been provided with 50,00 trucks and 2,000 planes loaded with weapons by the US — is neutralised.
Erdogan also added that "the main aim of these operations is to send 3.5 million Syrian refugees back to their homes."
During the operation, three Turkish soldiers and at least seven FSA members have died, Erdogan said.
8.55 GMT:
Successes in Operation Olive Branch will avert possible risks to Turkey's economy, said Finance Minister Naci Agbal.
8.40 GMT:
US, British and German volunteers who have fought Daesh with YPG in Syria are in the Afrin region to wage battle against Turkey, an official with the YPG/PKK said.
"There was a desire on the part of the foreign fighters, who fought in Raqqa and who are fighting in Deir Ezzor, to go to Afrin," senior YPG/PKK member Redur Xelil told Reuters.
8.00 GMT:
Turkish authorities detained 150 suspects for allegedly conducting terror propaganda through various social media accounts against the Turkish state and Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region, Anadolu Agency said.
An anti-terror operation was conducted in 31 cities across Turkey and 11 suspects were arrested. Three of the suspects were released under bail conditions, seven were freed and another 132 remain under investigation.
6.20 GMT:
Eight terrorists belonging to the YPG/PKK were neutralised in Syria's Afrin region, the Turkish Armed Forces announced.
According to the statement, armed terrorists attempted to infiltrate and defeat Turkey's Operation Olive Branch.
3.00 GMT:
Turkey would like to see the US cease their support for "a group that has been targeting Turkey for 30 years," says Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin.
Speaking to CNN International, Kalin said that arming Turkey's enemies such as the PKK/YPG is the greatest issue straining relations between the two NATO allies.
1.00 GMT:
Turkey arrests Daesh's so-called emir of health, Kefah Basheer Hussain, along with 12 other terrorists which two of them were on high-level warrant list, Anadolu Agency reports according to security sources.
Hussain said at the court that Daesh and the YPG/PKK conducted a ceasefire four months ago and they passed to Deir Ezzor under their trust.
January 23:
Day four of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
20:00 GMT:
Turkey’s Chief of General Staff: At least 260 terrorists belonging to the PKK/KCK/YPG and Daesh were neutralised during the Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin.
18:30 GMT:
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the phone about latest developments in Syria and the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin region.
17:40 GMT:
Dutch Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra says Turkey has sufficient reasons to defend itself. “YPG is not innocent. The Dutch government never supported the YPG.”
17:30 GMT:
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tells his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron over the phone that all measures have been taken to prevent civilian casualties during Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin region.
17:15 GMT:
Turkey’s governing (AK) party spokesman said that some Daesh members are shaving their beards and joining the fight against Turkey alongside the YPG.
“We know [from the Daesh-YPG deal] that many Daesh members have left Raqqa, and we know that they've shaved their beards and are fighting against Turkey at the forefront of the YPG/PKK,” Mahir Unal said.
17:00 GMT:
Pentagon says the YPG militants in northeast Syria will lose US support if they move into Syria’s Afrin region.
16:30 GMT:
Third Turkish soldier, Mehmet Muratdagi, has died during Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin.
Muratdagi was critically injured during clashes with YPG/PKK terrorists and rushed to the hospital where despite all efforts by the doctors he succumbed to his injuries.
16:15 GMT:
Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu says President Erdogan will speak to US President Trump on Wednesday.
12.30 GMT:
Turkey's main purpose in Operation Olive Branch is to secure country's borders from terrorists, said presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin following a security summit in Presidential Complex in Ankara.
"Our sensitivity of separating civilians from the terrorists [in this operation] is at the highest level as in any other operation," Kalin said in a statement.
"Operation Olive Branch is being conducted only against terror groups, not against an ethnic group," he added.
11:23 GMT:
A second Turkish soldier, Oguz Kaan Usta, has died during clashes in Operation Olive Branch against the YPG/PKK and Daesh in Syria's Afrin region.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced the death on his personal Twitter account, noting that Turkey would not retreat in the fight against terrorism.
Vatanımızın bekası için Afrin'de #ZeytinDaliHarekati’na katılan hemşehrim Piyade Üsteğmen #OğuzKaanUsta'yı şehit verdik.
— Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (@MevlutCavusoglu) January 23, 2018
Şehitlerimizin kanını yerde bırakmayacağız. Terörün kökünü kazıyana kadar mücadelemizi sürdüreceğiz.
Milletimizin başı sağolsun.
11.34 GMT:
Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish Armed Forces, captures El Hammam village in Syria's Afrin region – Anadolu Agency reports
11.10 GMT:
The YPG calls for civilians to defend Syria’s Afrin region against the Turkish operation to clear terrorists from the region, Reuters reported.
“We call on all our people to defend Afrin and its pride, and contribute in all the related activities,” it said in a statement without elaborating.
The YPG reportedly forced some youth in the Syrian city to take up arms and dig trenches in their homes, according to Anadolu Agency.
10.30 GMT:
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called on Turkey to show "restraint" in its offensive against YPG/PKK militants in Syria.
"The violence in Afrin disrupts what was a relatively stable area in Syria and distracts from the international effort to defeat ISIS [Daesh]," Mattis said during a tour of Asia, referring to the militia's enclave in northern Syria.
January 22:
Day three of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
22.00 GMT:
The UN Security Council discussed Turkey's anti-YPG offensive and the situation in Syria and refrained from condemning or demanding an end to the Afrin operation.
21.45 GMT:
President Erdogan receives information via video conference from commanders of General Staff, Land Forces in region for Operation Olive Branch.
20.30 GMT:
A delegation headed by Deputy Undersecretary of the US State Department, Jonathan Cohen, arrived in the capital Ankara to discuss the situation in Syria and active cooperation between the NATO allies, diplomatic sources say.
20.05 GMT:
A statement by the Turkish Armed Forces says a Turkish soldier has died during clashes in Gulbaba village southeast of Kilis province, during the Operation Olive Branch against YPG/PKK and Daesh.
17.40 GMT:
Turkey Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin responded to EU’s Mogherini “extremely worried” comments, saying that they were hypocritical.
“Turkey fights all types of terrorist groups including Daesh, the PKK and FETO. When the PKK/PYD/YPG is at stake, some express their ‘concerns’ and lecture us using the refrain of ‘anti-war’ - but this is frankly a double-standard and hypocritical. It will never alter Turkey’s course.”
Türkiye DEAŞ, PKK, FETÖ dahil terörün her türüne karşı kararlılıkla mücadele etmektedir. PKK/PYD/YPG söz konusu olunca birilerinin “endişe” beyan etmesi ve “savaş karşıtlığı” söylemine sığınması, bir çifte standarttır ve iki yüzlülüktür. Bunlar Türkiye’yi asla yıldırmayacaktır.
— Ibrahim Kalin (@ikalin1) January 22, 2018
16.36 GMT:
Turkey’s Deputy PM Bekir Bozdag responded to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's offer to work with Ankara, saying that Washington need to stop providing weapons to YPG and collect arms that have already been distributed.
Asked whether Ankara would give any guarantees to Russia as to the operation, Bozdag said Turkey declined to do so for Russia or any other country.
"Operation Olive Branch is limited to Afrin," he added.
12.45 GMT:
The European Union's diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said Monday she was "extremely worried" by Turkey's Afrin operation.
She also said that they "will discuss this among other things with our Turkish interlocutors."
12.20 GMT:
The YPG has released Daesh prisoners on the condition of fighting against the Turkish army and the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Afrin, Anadolu Agency reported.
The report came less than an hour after the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is dominated by the YPG, said it was studying the possibility of sending reinforcements to the Afrin region.
12.00 GMT:
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that no Turkish military casualties have been reported from the ground since the operation started three days ago.
11.15 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) expanded its operation to the town of Azaz to the east of Afrin in the province of Aleppo, Anadolu Agency reported on Monday.
Turkish artillery continue to shell YPG positions in Afrin in the third day of Operation Olive Branch which aims to clear the area of terror elements.
Turkish military sources said that eleven villages have been taken from the YPG since the operation started three days ago.
10.55 GMT:
Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) capture strategic Bursaya mountain in northern Syria’s Afrin. The YPG/PKK have used the mountain previously to launch mortar shells and missiles into Kilis in Turkey and Azaz in Syria, Anadolu Agency reports.
09.50 GMT:
The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington is concerned about the Turkish incident in northern Syria and is asking both sides to show restraint, Reuters reported.
"We recognize and fully appreciate Turkey's legitimate right to protect its own citizens from terrorist elements," he added.
Tillerson also said that they can work with Turkey in the region.
January 21:
Day two of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin
21.55 GMT:
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Ankara gave Washington advance warning before launching the operation and Turkey has "legitimate" security concerns in northern Syria.
"Turkey was candid. They warned us before they launched the aircraft they were going to do it in consultation with us, and we are working now on the way ahead through the ministry of foreign affairs," Mattis said.
18:00 GMT:
Turkish Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar says that they are taking all precautions to prevent civilian deaths.
17.41 GMT:
The Turkish army says it has destroyed two YPG/PKK positions in northwestern Syria, which were used to carry out rocket attacks in southern Turkey that targeted civilians.
16.45 GMT:
Nine villages in the north of Afrin are cleared of YPG/PKK by the Turkish army and the FSA.
15:30 GMT:
Another rocket hits a four-storey apartment building in Turkey's Reyhanli border town.
15:29 GMT:
US State Department releases a statement saying "The United States is very concerned about the situation in northwest Syria, especially the plight of innocent civilians who are now faced with an escalation in fighting. We continue to be supportive of addressing the legitimate security concerns of Turkey as a NATO Ally and critical partner in the effort to defeat ISIS. However, we urge Turkey to exercise restraint and ensure that its military operations remain limited in scope and duration and scrupulous to avoid civilian casualties."
15:15 GMT:
Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told TRT World that Turkey asked the US why they continued to provide weapons and training to the YPG even after the fight against Daesh was almost over, and they received no response.
"The investment that the US administration is putting on the YPG is going to endanger Syria’s future territorial integrity. We’re taking this action with self interest as well as for the benefit of the Syrian people. We are not interested in Syria’s territory."
14:00 GMT:
Diplomatic chiefs of Iraq, Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait arrive at the Turkish Foreign Ministry to discuss the Afrin operation.
13:55 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu says anyone who opposes Turkey's Afrin operation will have taken the side of terrorists and that Ankara expects France to support Turkey.
13:50 GMT:
One Syrian national killed, 37 wounded in Reyhanli, a town on Turkey's Syria border, mayor of Reyhanli says, after a missile strike from the YPG-held territory of Syria's Afrin.
13:30 GMT:
EU Delegation representative Christian Berger arrives at Turkish Foreign Ministry to discuss the Afrin operation.
13:30 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces announced that the Turkish Air Forces have destroyed 45 targets that were identified as shelters, ammunition depots used by the YPG during Operation Olive Branch. The 32 fighter jets that participated in the operation returned to their bases to prepare for the next one.
Silah ve Mühimmat Deposunun tam isabetle vuruluşu. pic.twitter.com/7wSrPehDVY
— TSK (@TSKGnkur) January 21, 2018
13:10 GMT:
Turkish Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar speaks on the phone with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Bagheri.
12:30 GMT:
Saudi Arabian diplomatic chief arrives at Turkish Foreign Ministry to discuss the Afrin operation.
11:30 GMT:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said that the ongoing operation in Syria's Afrin will be completed "in very short time".
Addressing a massive crowd in western city of Bursa during governing Justice and Development (AK) Party's Women Branch congress, Erdogan said "hopefully, we will complete this operation in a very short time."
11:00 GMT:
The media office of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army said the group managed to capture Shingal village in Afrin region on Sunday from YPG.
The Syrian village is located in the north of Afrin town and near the Turkish border.
The village is considered the first to be captured since the Turkey-backed operation in Afrin began on Saturday.
10:00 GMT:
Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says YPG/PKK and Turkish forces clash on the northern and western edges of Afrin.
09.45 GMT:
Talking to Anadolu Agency about the Turkish border mission in Afrin a NATO official said that every country has the right to defend itself.
"It is important that this is done in a proportional and meticulous manner," the official said.
The official also added that Turkey has informed the alliance about the operation.
09:30 GMT:
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announces that the operation will be conducted in four phases, and said that Turkey will create a safe zone about 30 km deep.
He also said that Turkey spoke with the Syrian regime through Russia, and said that they were working to eliminate Iran’s concerns. He also said that Russia did not have objections to the operation.
Yildirim also said that region currently had about 8 to ten thousand terrorists
09:10 GMT:
Turkish forces join Free Syrian Army fighters in a comprehensive ground operation against YPG/PKK in Syria's Afrin.
09:03 GMT:
Turkish warplanes and artillery have hit 153 targets in Syria's Afrin, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement.
"So far, 153 targets, which were used as shelters, hideouts and ammunition depots by terrorist organisations PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh, have been targeted."
08:45 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu holds a phonecall with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian. Later the French foreign ministry said France called for a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting over the situation in Syria. The Council will meet on Monday.
05:36 GMT:
Free Syrian Army launches an operation in Syria’s YPG/PKK-occupied Afrin.
03:16 GMT:
Regime forces helped YPG/PKK in Aleppo to send arms to the northwestern city of Afrin where Turkey is running an operation, Anadolu Agency reports.
Quoting local sources on the ground, the semi-official agency says the regime paved the way for the use of roads through YPG/PKK-held Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood to deliver reinforcements, connecting the centre of Aleppo to Afrin.
00:25 GMT:
Rockets fired from Syria hit Turkey's Kilis city early Sunday.
The rockets struck the city centre at around 22:40 GMT, according to the governor. At least one person has been injured.
January 20:
Turkey’s Afrin operation, “Operation Olive Branch” begins
22:40 GMT:
Three rockets launched from Syrian soil hit two houses and a workplace in the Ekrem Cetin neighbourhood of Turkey's Kilis province. No casualties reported.
20:00 GMT:
Turkish tanks enter Syria through Kilis.
19:10 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tells TRT World that the objective of the Afrin operation is to ensure Turkey’s border security, eradicate terrorism in the area, and protect civilians from terrorists in the region.
18:50 GMT:
Turkish Prime Minister Binanli Yildirim announces that Turkey may start a ground offensive in Afrin the next day based on developments on the ground.
18: 45 GMT
The Pentagon spokesperson responds to the operation, saying the US “encourage[s] all parties to avoid escalation and to focus on the most important task of defeating ISIS (Daesh).”
“We understand Turkey’s security concerns about PKK, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US.”
“The US does not support the PKK in any way.”
18:25 GMT:
About an hour later its foreign ministry's statement, Russian Ministry of Defence blames the Afrin operation on the Pentagon in a statement, saying that it took “provocative steps” by providing modern arms to the US-backed groups in Syria.
The statement added that the United States’ irresponsible behavior in Syria threatened the peace process in the country as well as the Geneva process.
17:37 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces announce that all 72 fighter jets took part in the operation have returned to their bases in Turkey to prepare for their next mission.
Turkey-backed FSA troops aim towards YPG targets. Turkey's military operation to remove the group from Afrin is just its latest intervention in northern Syria. Turkish troops have already gone into Syria twice in the past two years.
16:47 GMT:
The Turkish Foreign Ministry announces that they have also invited the chiefs of diplomatic missions of China, France and the UK, the other members of the United Nations Security Council, to talk about the Afrin operation.
16:00 GMT:
Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu speaks with his American counterpart Rex Tillerson and the phone, and says that he wants the US’ support. “Those who don't support us should not stand in our way,” he later said in an interview to a Turkish TV channel.
15:45 GMT:
Russian Defense Ministry says Russian troops in Afrin relocated to Tel Rifat for safety.
15:43 GMT:
The Turkish Foreign Ministry announces that they invited Russian, Iranian and the US diplomatic mission chiefs in Ankara to inform them about the Afrin operation.
15:40 GMT:
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaber Ansari says that any ground operation in Syria may affect the Syrian National Dialogue Congress due to take place in Sochi at the end of the month in a “positive or negative manner.”
“We hope that the ceasefire guarantors in Syria (Russia, Turkey and Iran) will take action to avoid this."
15:30 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces announces 108 out of 113 YPG/PKK targets it had identified had been successfully hit.
15:03 GMT:
The Russian Foreign Ministry releases a statement in response to the start of Turkey’s Afrin operation, saying they received the launch of the operation in Afrin “with concern.”
“We are closely monitoring the development of the situation.”
15:00 GMT:
Anadolu Agency reports that the Free Syrian Army troops entered YPG-held regions via Azez.
14:35 GMT:
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) releases a statement saying that the TSK has launched “Operation Olive Branch” in Afrin to clear the PKK/YPG from Afrin.
14:25 GMT:
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that the operation has begun.
14:15 GMT:
Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim confirms that the operation has started.
14:00 GMT
Turkish jets start bombing YPG and Daesh targets in Afrin.
January 19
Anadolu Agency reports that Russia started withdrawing its military assets in northeast Kafr Jana region of Afrin city, ahead of Turkey’s expected operation in Syria’s northwestern city of Afrin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied that the Russian troops were withdrawing.
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CNN quoted US officials as saying that US troops have continued overt patrols near Manbij.
US officials tell CNN that US troops continue overt patrols near Manbij, Syria. Officials say Turkish-backed rebels in the area regularly fire on these patrols & US forces occasionally return fire. One official said US troops in the Manbij area came under fire “in the last week" https://t.co/F1dQI4EfQS
— Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) January 19, 2018
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Turkey's Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli says in an interview with a Turkish news channel that Russia's co-operation with Turkey on any moves in Afrin is important:
"The decisions and stances of the countries which have an influence on the ground in Syria is of course very crucial for our operation. For us to be more successful, our policies with those countries should be consistent... Our talks with Russia will continue."
Turkey's Chief of General Staff General Hulusi Akar (C) discussing "Operation Olive Branch: to Afrin, as Commander of the Turkey's Land Forces Yasar Guler (2-L), Commander of the Turkey's Naval Forces Adnan Ozbal (L), Commander of the Turkey's Air Forces Hasan Kucukakyuz (2-R) and Deputy Chief of the Turkey's General Staff Umit Dundar (R) look on at the operations center at Turkey's General Staff Headquarters in Ankara.
January 18
Turkey’s Chief of General Staff General Hulusi Akar and Hakan Fidan, head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) fly to Moscow to meet with Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov to discuss details of the Afrin operation.
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Turkish shelling of Afrin continues.
January 17
Contradicting the US’ earlier statements, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson denies that the US had any intention of building a Syria-Turkey border force, saying the issue, which has incensed Ankara, had been "misportrayed."
The next day, US Department of Defense gives a statement about the “Border Security Force” without making reference to the SDF.
“The US continues to train local security forces in Syria. The training is designed to enhance security for displaced persons returning to their devastated communities,” it read. “It is also essential so that ISIS (Daesh) cannot reemerge in liberated and ungoverned areas. This is not a new ‘army’ or conventional ‘border guard’ force.”
Later that day, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon gave another statement to Anadolu Agency about the role of the militants.
"I do not want to characterise as a police force, but it is a kind of security and stability force or some sort of area control force," he said.
Over the weekend the US-led coalition said that it was working with the YPG, the Syrian extension of the PKK terrorist...
Posted by TRT World on Thursday, January 18, 2018
January 15
Turkey’s President Erdogan responds to the US’ announcement about the formation of 30,000-strong YPG army on its border with Syria, and says it will be dealt with and that Turkey’s armed forces were ready to start operations.
“The US has admitted to forming a terrorist army along the Turkish border," he said, vowing that Turkey would kill that army before it was born.
“The US created a terror organisation with 30,000 people and has provided them with 4,800 truckloads of arms as of now.”
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Turkey starts shelling Afrin in retaliation to attacks from the YPG.
Is “The North Army”, trained by the CIA, leading to the establishment in northern Syria of a defacto state under the control of the PKK-linked group, the YPG?
Posted by TRT World on Friday, January 12, 2018
January 14
The US-led coalition announces that it is working with the YPG/SDF militants to set up a new “Border Security Force” of 30,000 personnel, deployed at the borders of the area controlled by the YPG/SDF.
January 13
Turkey’s President Erdogan says during a speech in Turkey’s Elazig province that it would be less than a week before the Afrin operation started.
“It won’t be a week before they see how we destroy them [the YPG]”
January 9
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will resume its military operation in Syria's Afrin and Manbij regions to breach YPG-controlled areas and secure its borders against terror groups.
"Now, it is the time to completely destroy the plan of the separatist terror group to establish a terror corridor in Syria. We will continue Operation Euphrates Shield in Afrin and Manbij. We will complete this process by bringing peace and security on all of our borders," he said.
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