Turkish Army and Allies in 'Total Control' of Syria's Afrin by Lefteris Pitarakis and Mehmet Guzel - AP
AFRIN, Syria — The Turkish army and Syrian opposition fighters it backs have “total control” of the Kurdish enclave of Afrin in northern Syria, according to the country’s official news agency on Saturday, nearly a week after they captured the main town that carries the same name.
Anadolu news agency said the Turkish military was continuing its sweep for mines and explosives to allow Afrin’s residents to return, following airstrikes and clashes with Syrian Kurdish forces.
Associated Press journalists on a press tour organized by the Turkish government Saturday passed through the northwestern town of Jinderes en route to central Afrin.
Jinderes, captured by Turkey and allied Syrian opposition fighters, was the scene of heavy street clashes earlier in March. The AP saw a widely destroyed and empty town.
Turkey launched a ground and air offensive on Jan. 20 codenamed Olive Branch to oust the main Syrian Kurdish militia known as the People’s Protection Units, or YPG, from Afrin…