Turkey: 59 Turkish soldiers and 261 members of Free Syrian Army (FSA) killed in Afrin, civilians displaced
Fifty-nine Turkish soldiers and 261 members of the pro-Turkey Free Syrian Army (FSA) have died in fighting in the Afrin region of Syria since hostilities began in January, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The death toll rose from the 44 Turkish soldiers reported by the London-based organisation four days ago. Turkey had put the number at 41 on Friday.
Turkey’s bombardment of towns and villages in Afrin is causing significant difficulties in terms of population displacement and leading to fears that about 1 million people, including those who had migrated from other war-torn parts of Syria, will be trapped in Afrin city as Turkish forces approach, SOHR said .
Syrian forces and gunmen loyal to the regime who are manning checkpoints on the edge of Afrin are charging $1,000-$2,200 to people who want to leave the area for Aleppo, the organisation said.