By Zuhal Demirci

ANKARA

The International Solidarity Association of Muslim Scholars on Tuesday voiced its support for Turkey’s military operation against the Daesh and PYD/PKK terrorist organizations in northwestern Syria.

“With all our hearts, we support the [military] campaign of Turkey – a glimmer of hope for the world of the oppressed – to disrupt the game set up by foreign powers to put the country on the spot,” the Istanbul-based association said in a statement.

It said Operation Olive Branch was a right of Turkey stemming from international agreements.

Turkey on Saturday launched Operation Olive Branch to remove the PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Syria’s northwestern city of Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the ongoing operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

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 the "utmost importance" is being put on not harming civilians.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012 when the regime of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.