Turkey-led forces snatch more towns in Afrin

Turkey-led forces snatch more towns in Afrin
March 2, 2018 - 16:22 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Amid what appears to be a new phase of Ankara’s still ongoing Olive Branch operation, the Turkish Army and Free Syrian Army militias under its command have snatched three more villages from Kurdish forces in Syria’s Afrin region, Al-Masdar News reports.

On Friday, March 2 morning, Turkey-led forces renewed their assault towards the Kurdish-held fortress town of Raju in northwest Afrin, taking control of Maskanli, Utmanli and the duel-settlement of Mamali.

The new push has brought Olive Branch forces to within about one or two kilometers of Raju via the northwestern direction.

The advance to Raju’s gates by Ankara-backed rebel groups comes amid reports that the Turkish Army has deployed elite troops near the Kurdish stronghold.

The elite Turkish Army soldiers in question are specialist light infantry – reportedly equipped for and training in the storming of urban areas.

Photo. Reuters/Khalil Ashawi
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Al-Masdar News. Breaking: Turkey-led forces snatch 3 more towns in Afrin as elite troops prepare to storm Kurdish stronghold
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