190,000 Syrians return to liberated hometowns

By Sertaç Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - Thousands of Syrians have returned to terror-free regions in Syria following Turkish military-led Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch.

According to Interior Ministry officials, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media, some 190,000 Syrians have voluntarily returned.

Turkey supports the return of Syrians in peaceful and stable regions, according to the officials.

Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from northwestern Afrin. On March 18, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army liberated the Afrin district center.

Since the launch of the operation, a total of 4,546 terrorists have been neutralized, according to the Turkish military.

Turkish military and Free Syrian Army (FSA) continue sweep and clear activities in Afrin while taking utmost care about the safety of civilians.

Meanwhile, Turkish and American armed forces have been conducting patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of a deal with the U.S. to rid the area of the YPG/PKK terror group.

Operation Euphrates Shield, which began in August in 2016 and ended in March 2017, also eliminated terrorists along the Syrian border.