A+ A-

Turkish forces rumble toward Kurds' heartland quickly -- monitor

AMMAN, Feb 20 (KUNA) -- Armored Turkish troops backed by fighters of the Syrian opposition group, the Free Syrian Army, are advancing rapidly toward the Syrian Kurds' heartland in the north, according to the Syrian opposition media.
The Syrian Monitor for Human Rights said on Tuesday that the regular and irregular forces have captured 12 villages and a chain of strategic hilltops in the ongoing "olive branch" operation, primarily aimed at taking control of Afrin, the local Kurds' key stronghold.
The forces have become in control of more than 150 square kilometers west of the Euphrates, the monitor said, adding that the Kurds' defenses have crumbled in the face of the assaulting forces.
Ankara launched the operation for Afrin on the 20th of the past month.

The Syrian official media reported that forces loyal to the regime were heading toward the contested town of Afrin in the north.
State-run television said vanaguards of the loyalists had actually arrived in Afrin and were poised to fight incoming Turkish forces. (end) tk.rk