Turkey's "Operation Olive Branch" in Syria's Afrin is intensifying day by day. Turkish forces are targeting YPG positions in the area as Ankara considers the group a terrorist organization because of its ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Turkey says the operation is a matter of national struggle and has emphasized it would continue until the area is cleared of YPG militants – a security threat for Turkey according to Ankara. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also stressed Turkey had no interest in anyone’s land, and that Ankara only wanted Syria’s territorial integrity. Erdogan said they want "to send back the 3.5 million Syrian brothers in our country back to their land."

On Wednesday, the Turkish military continued attacking with airstrikes and announced it had “neutralized” at least 280 Syrian Kurdish fighters and ISIL militants since the operation began, referring to those who were killed, injured or captured. But Turkey and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) – supporting Turkey on the ground – are also suffering losses. At least three Turkish soldiers had been killed by Wednesday and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said dozens of FSA members had also been killed. 

But it’s not only clashes that are hurting Turkey – rockets have been fired into bordering Turkish towns from within Syria. On Wednesday evening the border town of Kilis was shocked when a rocket hit a mosque, ambulances rushed the injured to nearby hospitals. At least two people were killed in the attack. 

Rocket attacks have become a frequent scene in Kilis and Turkey’s Reyhanli town as well. 

The first civilian killed in Turkey due to fighting triggered by the Afrin operation was a 61-year-old Syrian. Nader Alfares died after a rocket attack in Reyhanli when he went out to buy groceries for his family. He was driving with his wife, son and grandchildren when the rocket hit their car. Nader’s family is now in mourning. His son Huseyn said Nader had always wanted to return to Syria and therefore would be buried there. Despite the family’s recent loss, Huseyn said they feel safe and welcomed in Turkey. 

Meanwhile, the operation is expected to intensify as the fighting moves towards the city center in the upcoming days.