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Turkish forces seize town, engage in fierce fighting with Kurds

AMMAN, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- Turkish troops and units of the Free Syrian Army have advanced taking over the town of Shenkal in northern Syria, the Syrian Monitor for Human Rights said on Sunday.
The regulars and the local loyalists are engaged in fierce clashes with Kurdish factions, in latest development of Ankara's operation, "the Olive Branch," primarily aimed at crushing strongholds of separatist Kurds in and around Afrin.
The troops and the Free Syrian Army fighters have advanced and seized Shenkal, less than 24 hours after launch of the wide-scale military offensive, involving heavy artillery, tanks and warplanes. Describing some scenes of the ongoing battle, the monitor said the engaged foe fighters traded artillery knocking out armored vehicles, amid recurring strikes by Turkish warplanes on suspected Kurdish bases in several areas in northern Syria. (end) tk.rk