Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army fighters are seen in Maryamayn in eastern Afrin, Syria March 11, 2018. (Reuters photo)

ANKARA, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkish military and its ally the Free Syrian Army (FSA) made rapid advances during its operation in Syria's Afrin region on Monday, only 1.5 km away from its city center, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Since the launch of the operation, Turkish military and the FSA have controlled 1,100 square km of land in Afrin, seized 197 locations including five town centers, 159 villages, 33 strategic hills and one base of Kurdish militants, Anadolu said.

A total of 3,347 terrorists have been "neutralized" so far during the operation, the Turkish General Staff announced on Monday morning.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched "Operation Olive Branch" to clear Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militants from Afrin.

The YPG is regarded by Turkey as the Syrian affiliate of the the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and European Union.