March 19, 2018•Update: March 19, 2018
By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu
KILIS, Turkey
Kilis Governor Mehmet Tekinarslan said on Monday PYD/PKK terrorists fired 48 rockets on southeastern Kilis province during Turkey’s ongoing Operation Olive Branch in Afrin region.
The governor made the remarks when Turkish Parliamentarian Union President Nevzat Pakdil and members of the assembly were visiting Kilis province.
In a joint news conference with Pakdil, Tekinarslan praised the Turkish military's success during the Afrin operation.
"There is no state or army in the entire world that can carry out such an operation in such a short time and without any mistake," the governor said.
Tekinarslan said 48 rocket attacks were carried out on Kilis from across the border.
"32 of them directly targeted mosques, schools, hospitals, restaurants and housings," he said.
"Two civilians were killed and 38 others were wounded [during such attacks]," he added.
He said the PYD/PKK terrorists had also carried out rockets attacks from "Euphrates Shield" operation areas on Kilis.
Tekinarslan said the terrorists also hit Azez and Mare regions in Syria during Operation Olive Branch.
"They have carried out these attacks using special ammunition, missiles and rockets," he said.
"They fired 61 rockets on Azez, and 59 on Mare during the operation. Four people in Azez, and one other in Mare have been killed."
- Turkey's 'noble stand'
Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield began in August 2016 and ended in late March 2017 to improve security, support coalition forces, and eliminate the terror threat along the Turkish border.
Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.
According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch has aimed to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.
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 has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming any civilians.
Afrin has been a major hideout for the YPG/PKK since July 2012, when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without a fight.
Pakdil said Operation Olive Branch "is a matter of survival" for the Turkish nation.
The former deputy speaker of Turkish parliament highlighted that the Turkish nation took "a noble stand" after the launch of the operation.
"Our army did its best to clear terrorists from the region without harming civilians," Pakdil said.
He also praised the hospitality of people living in Kilis, saying: "Kilis has suffered a lot, but it has opened its arms to our Syrian brothers, shared its bread with them."
The delegation also visited a military base close to Turkey-Syria border and appreciated the high morale of the Turkish soldiers.
