Turkey declares full control of Kurdish stronghold Afrin in northern Syria

ANKARA - Turkey declared full control of the strategic Kurdish stronghold Afrin in northern Syria on Sunday, after a two-month military campaign to oust US-backed Kurdish fighters from its borders.

"The units of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), backed by the Turkish Armed Forces, took totally control of the center of Afrin as of 8:30 am this morning," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a public ceremony in the northwestern city of Canakkale.

On Jan 20, the Turkish army launched "Operation Olive Branch" to expel the People's Protection Units (YPG), seen by Ankara as the Syrian affiliate to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been engaged in an armed conflict against the Turkish government since 1984.

Turkish-led troops surrounded Afrin last week and called on civilians to leave the city.

The news of Afrin's capture was also confirmed by the Turkish military.

"Afrin city center is under control," said a statement released by Turkish Armed Forces, adding that "search operation for mines and improvised explosive devices is underway."

"The Turkish flag is flying there; the flag of the Free Syrian Army is flying there," said Erdogan in front of a cheering and exalted crowd.

Turkey will immediately take necessary steps to ensure the return of the residents as soon as possible, he noted.

"The terrorist corridor has been broken," said the Turkish president, referring to the attempts of the YPG to establish "a terror corridor" along the 900km-long Turkish-Syrian border.

Television reports said gunshots and explosion could be heard in the area while Turkish warplanes continue to fly over the city.

Turkish TV channels also released footage of Turkish soldiers and Syrian rebels celebrating in the city center, deserted by the YPG.