Turkish ground troops entered the territory of Syria to support Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces near the Syrian city of Afrin, local media reported.

The Turkish troops advanced for 3.5 kilometers, Haberturk says.

A military operation against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, or YPG, named Olive Branch started on Saturday. Turkey said the aim of the operation is to protect Turkey’s border, to ensure regional security, to fight Kurdish rebels and the Islamic State militants.  

The YPG is a U.S. ally in the war against the Islamic State terrorists.