Turkish Offensive in Syria: Operation Olive Branch advances in Afrin

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Turkey's Operation Olive Branch is intensifying and advancing into Syria's northwestern region of Afrin. The military move was initiated back on January 20th earlier this year. On Monday Turkey's deputy prime minister warned that any decisions by the Syrian government to send forces into Afrin, would give a green light to dividing Syria, and would cause disastrous consequences for the region.

The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister's comments come after Syrian state media said pro-government forces would enter Afrin "within hours" to "bolster" local forces in confronting Turkey's "aggression", after reaching an agreement with the Kurdish militia known as the People's Protection Units. But by sunset, there've been no signs of a deployment.

The Turkish President later said in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, that Damascus would face consequences, if it struck a deal with the YPG, adding that the Afrin operation would continue.

Ankara considers the YPG a "terrorist group" linked to the Kurdish insurgency within Turkey's borders.

Turkey launched the major air and ground offensive against the YPG in Afrin, known as "Operation Olive Branch", pounding the enclave with airstrikes and artillery on a daily basis.

Turkey claims 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.

On the 28th day of the operation, Turkish military announced that over 1,500 terrorists had been neutralized since the launch of the offensive.