23 February 2018•Update: 23 February 2018
By Kemal Karagoz and Erdal Turkoglu
ADIYAMAN/HATAY, Turkey
Families who suffered oppression and cruelty at the hands of PYD/PKK terrorists in Syria's Afrin have taken refuge in Turkey.
In southeastern Adiyaman province, Syrian families currently staying in camps, support the ongoing operation by Turkey in Afrin.
Ahmet Muhammed told Anadolu Agency: "I was a farmer. In order to escape persecution by PYD/PKK I fled to Turkey."
He had to leave his wife and children behind in Syria.
“PYD/PKK terrorists damage people’s property, steal their money and food. Thank you Turkey for saving us,” he added.
Another refugee Abdulcabbar Seyh Ahmet fled Afrin two years ago with his wife and children. He said: “I support Operation Olive Branch. I want my country to be cleared of terrorists.”
Some Syrians fled to Turkey's southern Hatay province.
Salih El Mustafa said: "The Assad regime destroyed our homeland Hama and many of my relatives lost their lives. Then we came to Afrin and we faced atrocities by PKK/PYD. There is no difference between them."
Muhammed Turki said: "We fled Afrin by running through the olive gardens at night. There are many families who wish to be freed from PKK/PYD terrorists in Afrin."
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.
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.
