On January 24, the Turkish Army and its proxies from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) launched a new attack on positions of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Qastal Hill east of the city of Afrin in the northern Aleppo countryside. However, the YPG repelled the attack, according to Kurdish sources.
YPG footage from Qestelê hill. #Efrin pic.twitter.com/QftTWFEiqw
— Afarin Mamosta (@AfarinMamosta) January 24, 2018
Meanwhile, warplanes of the Turkish Air Force (TAF) carried out a series of airstrikes on several positions of the YPG north and east of Afrin, according to Turkish sources. Furthermore, a source in the Turkish Army told Anadolu Agency that new Turkish T-129 attack helicopters made its debut military run on January 24 and targeted numerous YPG targets with its guided air-to-ground CIRIT rockets.
TSK sabah saatlerinde yapmış olduğu bombardımanda pkk/ypg nin Afrin Maydaki bölgesindeki mühimmat depolarının vurulma anları.. pic.twitter.com/OGFca5tfEG
— Son Kale Türkiye (@SonKaleTurkiye2) January 24, 2018
From its side, the Kurdish Hawar News Agency (ANHA) reported that 34 civilians were killed and 106 others were injured so far in the Turkish bombardment on the Afrin area.
Earlier, the Turkish General Staff claimed that at least 260 Kurdish militiamen have been killed since the start of Operation Olive Branch. On the other hand, the YPG claimed that at least 203 fighters of the Turkish-backed FSA and the Turkish Army have been killed during clashes in Afrin area since January 21.
