3rd Anniversary of Operation Olive Branch

It is the third anniversary of Operation Olive Branch, successfully completed by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the Syrian National Army (SMO) in Afrin, northwest of Syria, to end the presence of the terrorist organization YPG / PKK and ensure the security of the borders. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced the start of the operation on 20 January 2018 and the Euphrates, who died in Shield Operation 72 ventilated Turkish soldiers to commemorate 72 fighter jets, the same day began bombing terrorist targets set at 17:00. Operation Olive Branch, in which TAF and SMO soldiers participated, was carried out with determination against 8 to 10 thousand terrorists who had trapped mines and hand-made explosives in Afrin for years in difficult winter conditions. While the TSK and the SMO showed all kinds of attention and sensitivity to prevent civilians from being harmed, the terrorist organization tried to prevent the operation by shielding civilians in the areas they occupied. During the operation, 7 civilians lost their lives and 124 civilians were injured in the rocket attacks that the terrorist organization YPG / PKK carried out directly to places where civilians live, such as mosques, schools, hospitals, restaurants and residences, in Hatay and Kilis regions.

THE MOST CRITICAL STAGE OF THE OPERATION

The most important pillar of the operation was the control of Burseya Mountain in Şeran town on 28 January. In the operation, Bülbül town center on February 1, 2018, Racu town center on March 3, 2018, Sheikh Hadid town center on March 4, Şeran town on March 6, 2018 and Cinderes town center on March 8, 2018, YPG / It was cleared of PKK terrorists. Speaking at Çanakkale on March 18 Martyrs' Day and the 103rd anniversary of Çanakkale Victory, President Erdoğan said: "I want to share a good news with you. has been taken. " He announced that the district center was cleansed of terrorists using his statements. As the district center was taken under control, the TSK and SMO reported that the Mabatlı center, the last town in the district, was rescued from terrorists on the same day. With the clearing of Afrin district center from terrorism, the operation was completed and 6 town centers, 282 villages, 6 settlements under 6 villages, 23 strategic mountains and hills, 1 dam, 50 strategic points were taken under the control of the Turkish Armed Forces and SMO. Turkish aid organizations delivered humanitarian aid boxes to each rescued settlement. Thanks to the assurance provided by the TSK and the SMO elements, civilians started to return to their homes as of March 20, 2018. In Afrin, it has been the priority of the TSK and the SMO to strengthen security, facilitate the return of civilians to their homes, and return life to normal. YPG / PKK bases, ditches, trapped mines and explosives were detected and destroyed during search and screening activities. After the control of the center of Afrin was achieved, 7 local councils were established in the district to serve the people of the region. on behalf of the normalization of life in the region, Turkey's support of agriculture through local councils, industry, trade, culture, sports, health, are assisted in areas such as public education in the region. More emphasis is placed on health and education. Turkey has serious support to education and health in the region. After successfully reaching the targets of the operation serving a 100-bed hospital was opened and 13 branches in Afrin relaunched with the support of Turkey. In schools, the education system imposed by the terrorist organization YPG / PKK was terminated, and education in accordance with the curriculum determined by the interim government of the opposition was started. More than 50 thousand students continue their education in Afrin district center and surrounding towns where a cultural center and sports complex has been opened.