Turkey's military says on Thursday eight of its soldiers were killed and another 13 were wounded in clashes in northwest Syria's Afrin region.
In two separate statements late Thursday, the army said the wounded soldiers had been "swiftly evacuated" to receive treatment. However, some reports said a Turkish evacuation helicopter could not land after coming under fire until airstrikes cleared the area. The soldiers in critical condition were then evacuated.
Local media reported heavy clashes in northwestern Afrin earlier Thursday, where YPG fighters attacked Turkish forces through tunnels.
The military death toll has now reached 41 and injured soldiers 190 since the launch of the operation on Jan. 20.
