At least 11 people were arrested in Turkey on Thursday over an online smear campaign against Turkey's counter-terrorist military operation in northwestern Syria, according to security sources.
In early morning raids across the city, arrests were made of 11 of 18 suspects sought for taking part in the campaign, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Counter-terrorism units are hunting for the remaining seven suspects, the sources added.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear the PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.
The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.