<p>The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army claimed advances in the Kurdish-held Afrin region on January 23, according to a Twitter account linked to the operation</a>.</p><p>On the same day, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said thousands of people were fleeing Afrin in the face of fighting and Turkish shelling.</p><p>Kurdish forces reportedly carried out a counter-offensive, attempting to retake three villages captured by the Free Syrian Army, the observatory added</a>.</p><p>Two Turkish soldiers were reportedly killed during the fighting against the YPG, Turkish state media said</a>.</p><p>This video was posted by a Kurdish outlet and is described showing clashes in Hemam town in west Afrin. Credit: ANHA via Storyful</p><br />
