Life returns to normalcy in Syria's Tal Abyad

TAL ABYAD, Syria

Daily life returned to normalcy in northern Syria's Tal Abyad district following Turkey's counter-terrorism operation dubbed "Operation Peace Spring".

With YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists gone in the district, local people began to go about their business and shopkeepers opened their shops.

The streets are packed with people and vehicles, unlike in the period when YPG/PKK terrorists had occupied the region.

Security personnel continue searching the area to ensure the safety of locals.

On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara agreed with Washington on Oct. 17 to pause its operation to allow YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the planned safe zone.

On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a meeting in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi just hours before the pause was set to expire.

Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which PKK/YPG terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Turkey’s border with northern Syria within 150 hours and security forces from Turkey and Russia will conduct joint patrols there.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.