Click to see the full-size image. Source: https://twitter.com/suriyegundemi_
On March 12, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) captured the villages of Jamalah, Zindakan, Qila, Kumush Burj and Qibar from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in the Syrian area of Afrin. Thus, Turkey-led forces deployed within only 5km south of the YPG-held city of Afrin as well as 5 km west of the TAF’s positions east of the YPG-held city.
Jamalah
According to pro-Turkish sources, since the start of Ankara’s Operation Olive Branch, the TAF and the FSA have captured 193 locations including 5 towns, 155 villages, 33 mountains and hills.
Video: A Turkish T129 ATAK combat helicopter strikes YPG fighters in Afrin. pic.twitter.com/Hk4QRgfDxW
— Ali Özkök (@Ozkok_) 11 March 2018
On March 10 and March 11, Turkey-led forces made large gains in the area of Afrin and outflakned the city of Afrin from the northern and northeastern directions.
According to pro-Turkish sources, the TAF and the FSA will fully isolate the YPG-held city from the southern direction and cut it off from the government-held part of Aleppo province. When this is done, the YPG will have no more chances to receive any direct help from Damascus.
DAY 51: #FSA led by #TSK capture a total of ~15 villages/towns from #YPG/J throughout #Afrin Canton.
Only +7 KM distance between #OliveBranch units on #Sharran & Jinderes axes to besiege Afrin city in new pocket. #AfrinOperasyonu
INTERACTIVE #SYRIA: https://t.co/eWdxWRRm54 pic.twitter.com/9jeyHJmXPp
— 24 Resistance Axis (@Syria_Hezb_Iran) 11 March 2018
On March 12, the TAF’s general staff released a statement saying that 3,347 “terrorists” had been neutralized in the military operation. In turn, the media wing of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces [the YPG is a core of the group] claimed that 95 members of the FSA and the TAF had been killed by the YPG in the Afrin area over the past 24 hours. The both sides provide little evidence to prove its claims about the alleged casualties.
