Turkish troops to enter Afrin at any moment: Erdoğan

MARDIN - Anadolu Agency

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on March 17 that Turkey-backed troops had surrounded Afrin city center in northwestern Syria and were ready to enter at any moment.

"We are about to enter Afrin, and we may announce the good news at any time," said Erdoğan at his Justice and Development (AK) Party's 6th Annual Congress in southeastern province of Mardin.

He added that a total of 3,569 terrorists have been "neutralized" in Afrin since the start of Operation Olive Branch.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the militants in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG and ISIL militants from Afrin.

Since the launch of the operation, the Turkish military and FSA have liberated 268 locations, including five town centers, 224 villages, 44 strategic mountains and hills, and one YPG base.

The forces reached Afrin city's border last week and encircled it.