The operation launched on Saturday in Syria's Afrin territory under the control of the PYD / PKK and continues on the second day.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said that the soldiers crossed the border of Gulbaba village of Kilis at 11.05 and that the land operation had thus started.

In the early hours of the morning, the Free Syrian Army under the control of the Turkish Armed Forces began a large-scale operation and entered from the border.

The TSK and the Free Syrian Army are now said to be within about 5 kilometers of the Afrin territory, and that there has been no serious conflict during the progression. The members of the organization reportedly withdrawn from the villages and the towns.

Meanwhile, troops deployed at the border are shelling the areas under PYD/PKK control.

Turkish Army tanks also support the FSA forces.

On the other hand, warplanes continue to hit targets. The intense fumes rising from the region are seen from the border crossings, and voices of the explosions are heard.

In the recent statement about the operation of the Turkish Army, the following statements were made:

"Olive Branch Operation was launched on January 20, 201, at 17.00 hrs. In this scope, the Turkish Armed Forces are trying to neutralize the terrorists belonging to the PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and DEASH in the Afrin region in the north-western part of Syria in order to ensure security and stability in our borders and the region and to save the friendly and brotherly people of the regions from their oppression and persecution."

"The operation is based on the rights of our country stemming from international law, the decisions of the UNGC against terrorism in particular 1624 (2005), 2170 (2014) and 2178 (2014) and on the subject of the Legislative Defense in the 51^st article of the UN Convention, is performed respectfully."

"Detected targets continue to be neutralized by fire attack by means of land fire support. In this context, the shelter, ammunition warehouse and similar facilities used by PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and DEASH terrorist organizations have been taken under fire and "Olive Branch Operation" has been performing according to the plan."

"In the planning and execution of the operation, only terrorists and their shelters, positions, weapons, tools and equipment are targeted and all kinds of attention and sensitivity are shown to prevent civil/innocent people from being harmed," said in the statement made by Turkish Armed Forces.

Shipments of tanks and armored personnel carriers continue to Kilis as part of the operation.

ILKHA