Afrin under heavy bombardment by Turkish artillery, at least 18 dead

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish military is bombarding the Syrian city of Afrin in intense artillery strikes since Friday morning, Firat news agency reported.

At least 18 people have been killed in the shelling throughout the city, and significant infrastructure damages have been inflicted.

Earlier the Turkish air force delivered air strikes on the Kurdish People’s Self Defense Forces, which are defending the city.

In January 2018, theTurkish militarybegan an operation in theKurdish-majorityAfrin Cantonand theTel Rifaat Area ofShahba Cantonin Northern Syria. Turkey code-named the operation asOperation Olive Branch. In the pretext of fighting terror, Turkey is actually targeting the Kurdish population.

English –translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan