Turkey, Free Syrian Army take complete control of Afrin

AFRIN, SYRIA - MARCH 18: Turkish soldiers and Free Syrian Army members enter the city after they on March 18, 2018 took complete control of northwestern Syria's Afrin. According to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground, the troops entered the town center at around 5 a.m. local time (GMT0100). In an hour time, troops entered the town centr from east, west and north sides. During the entrance, some mines placed by terrorists at entry points of the district exploded as FSA fighters advanced into the the town center, it was learned.Without encountering any kind of resistance, they took complete control of the town center.FSA -- after taking control of the biggest neighborhoods Ashrafieh, Jamiliyah and Mahmudiyah in the town center's north -- advanced to the old bus stop area, according to the correspondents. The improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines are currently being defused. Utmost care is being taken to not harm any civilians.YPG/PKK terrorists -- before the beginning of Operation Olive Branch -- held civilians hostage at the town center, in a bid to use them as human shields. However, the ongoing operation forced so-called leaders of the terrorist group camped at Mount Qandil to flee, leaving behind a few terrorists who impersonated civilians by wearing their clothing.Saturday's action led to the liberation of 12 villages, cleared the last terrorist stronghold Mabatli village and encircled the city centre from three sides -- forcing the remaining terrorists to flee the area. Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin. (Footage by Mohammed Haj Mostafa/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)