Turkish military claims Shaykh al-Hadid district

The Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) have advanced on the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants in Syria’s Afrin district, claiming several strategic points, including a town center and at least five villages. 

"Shaykh al-Hadid, located in the west of Afrin, is the third town center to be liberated since the launch of the operation. Bulbul and Rajo town centers have also been liberated… Four more villages and a mountain were liberated. They include: Bafliun village and its mountain in the Sharan district, Hulilu village in Rajo, Souuldjouk and Araendi villages in Shaykh al-Hadid district," Anadolu Agency reported.

"The village of Haji Khalil in Rajo, located northwest of Afrin, has been cleared of terrorists," the statements adds.

Turkey launched the Olive Branch' Operation on January 20 along with elements of the FSA to remove YPG militants from Afrin. Ankara sees the YPG as a terrorist group for its links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, which is listed as a terror organization by Turkey, the US and the European Union.