AFRIN, Syria

A dam in a region of northwestern Syria recently liberated from terrorists will soon be operational again, said Turkish officials visiting the region, near Turkey’s southern border, on Thursday.

Officials from Turkey’s State Waterworks paid a visit to Afrin, northwestern Syria to inspect the Mydanki Dam, which was damaged by YPG/PKK terrorists.

The terrorist group severely damaged the pumps in the dam, cutting off the main water supply to the cities of Afrin and Azaz, before fleeing the region, which was liberated by Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syria Army fighters as part of Operation Olive Branch.

The operation was launched on Jan. 20 to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from the area.

Following inspection of the damage, the officials said the dam would be back online very soon.

Turkish authorities stepped up humanitarian support to civilians in the city of Afrin after it was liberated by Turkish-backed forces.

The operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty, according to the Turkish General Staff.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.

Reporting by Sarp Ozer; Writing by Sorwar Alam