22 February 2018•Update: 23 February 2018
KAHRAMANMARAS, Turkey
Syrian teachers residing in Turkey said the ongoing Operation Olive Branch will pave way for a united Syria.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.
“We want a united Syria, not a divided Syria.…We know terror organizations [PYD/PKK] are responsible for brutalities in the region. I think Operation Olive Branch is a proper and positive [operation]," said Mean Sadiq, a Syrian teacher who arrived in southeastern Kahramanmaras province fleeing Afrin three years ago.
“Free Syrian Army and Turkish troops have made a fruitful contribution to Syria and its people by entering Afrin," he said.
"I hope soldiers who entered Afrin will also go to Manbij.
“Then, we will return to our country together with our children," he added.
At least 1,829 YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists have been "neutralized" since the beginning of Operation Olive Branch, said the Turkish General Staff.
Sadiq recalled how bodies of FSA fighters were paraded in open trailers on the streets of Afrin.
"I can never forget the bombings which killed our children. This is an inhuman massacre," he said.
Taysir Abdulllah, another Syrian teacher who fled persecution of terror organisations in Afrin five years ago, said he had witnessed bodies of FSA fighter being paraded on trucks. "Syrians can never forget this persecution and torture."
He added: “Syria is a country which cannot be divided. We thank Turkey for its help.”
“PKK and PYD persecuted [people]…They killed everyone; elders, women and children.
"I hope we will be rescued from persecution and oppression with the help of FSA and Turkey.”
Abdulbasid Hatip, another teacher, said the terrorists were being backed by the U.S. and Israel.
“PYD/PKK [terrorists] are backed by the U.S. and Israel. Israel and the U.S. are using them for whatever they want to do in any state," Hatip said.
Expressing his support to Operation Olive Branch, he added that he was hopeful for his country’s future.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin.
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 oppression and cruelty of terrorists.
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.
The military also said only terror targets were being destroyed and "utmost care" was being taken to not harm any civilian.
Reporting by Ismail Hakki Demir:Writing by Nilay Kar
