Fierce fighting between Turkish-led forces, Kurdish fighters in Afrin

World Today

Turkey’s military is trying to drive Kurdish militia known as the YPG out of Afrin district. Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group.

CGTN’s Michal Bardavid reports.
Follow Michal Bardavid on Twitter @michal_bardavid

Despite heavy fog and rainy weather, Turkish armed forces pushed forward with troops and tanks in Syria’s Afrin, targeting Kurdish YPG positions.

The Turkish government again expressed its determination to eliminate the YPG group from areas along the Syrian Turkish border.

“Regardless of the price, we will tear down the terror corridor they are trying to establish in the region,” Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said. 

But Turkey is also suffering losses. A funeral was held on Tuesday for a Turkish soldier killed during clashes in Kilis. In addition, rockets have been fired into bordering Turkish towns from within Syria.

The town of Reyhanli is frequently threatened by attacks from across the border. It’s one of two Turkish towns that’s been hit by rockets since the Olive Branch Operation began. Syrian Nader Alfares died on Sunday after a rocket attack on the town. His son said that while waiting for ambulances to arrive, local residents tried to save his father. Despite these efforts, his father lost his life.

Turkey continues to advance deeper into Afrin, escalating clashes  between YPG militants and Turkish soldiers. Residents fear the battle will get worse in the upcoming days.