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AFP
Hassa, Turkey
Turkey on Sunday seized a strategic outpost from Kurdish militia in Syria, pressing ahead with a campaign that has strained relations with the United States.
After several days of poor visibility because of heavy rain and fog, Turkish warplanes and artillery took advantage of the clear skies and seized Mount Barsaya near the Kurdish town of Afrin in northwestern Syria, the military command said in a statement.
The hill is significant because it overlooks the towns of Kilis and Azaz, either side of the Turkish-Syrian border.
Turkey launched operation"Olive Branch"on January 20 against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Afrin, supporting Syrian opposition fighters with ground troops and air strikes.
While Turkey brands the YPG a"terror"group, the militia has received support from the US, its fighters spearheading the battle against the Islamic State group across swathes of Syria.
Despite souring relations with NATO ally Washington, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to expand the offensive against the YPG to Manbij, east of Afrin.
