Turkey’s anti-terror operation gives hope to Syrians

DIYARBAKIR/SIIRT, Turkey

The Syrian refugees who fled to Turkey due to terrorism in Syria see Turkey's ongoing operation as an opportunity to go back to their home.

The Syrian refugees in Turkey are hopeful about returning to their home thanks to Turkey’s counter-terrorism operation, Operation Peace Spring.

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

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.

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 Syrian refugees say they left their home due to the terrorist attacks in northern Syria.

Muhammed Cercenazi, an electronics engineer, fled to Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakir province with his four children five years ago.

He told Anadolu Agency that his family and he ran away from Syria to Turkey to save their lives from the terrorist organization.

They are grateful that Turkish people and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan opened their country's doors to host them, Muhammed said.

They want to go back to their home as soon as possible that's why they carefully follow Turkey's anti-terrorism operation in northern Syria, he stressed.

"We pray for the Turkish soldiers. I wish Allah help Turkish soldiers to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria and aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees," Muhammed added.

Taha Hasan, a 52-year-old tailor, said his family and he fully support Operation Peace Spring.

He fled to Turkey with his six children and began a new life in Turkey's southeastern Siirt province but he added he wants to return to his home in Syria.

"I believe Turkey will bring tranquillity and safety to our region. Turkish military went to northern Syria to provide peace," Taha said.

"The Turkish military has brought stability, tranquillity and peace wherever they went," he said and added that they believed peace would come to their homes".

Taha also stressed that their relatives in Syria look forward to seeing the Turkish military in their region.

"We only want to live safely. When it is provided, we will go back to our homes. That's why our relatives look forward to the Turkish military bringing peace as soon as possible," he said.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut