1st batch of doctors graduate in N. Syria

By Omer Koparan and Ethem Emre Ozcan

AZAZ, Syria (AA) - The first batch of doctors received their diplomas in Syria's northwestern province of Azaz which falls within Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield zone.

A total of 30 students successfully completed their six-year training at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Aleppo.

The dean of the faculty, Cevad Ebu Hatap, said: “Today 30 of our students have graduated; we expect that hopefully 90 more will graduate next year. We have opened some fields of specialization, our graduates will receive trainings here.”

Sena Bekir, one of the graduates, said: “I would like to be beneficial to our society by completing my specialization training.”

Vice-Minister of Youth and Sports Halis Yunus Ersoz congratulated the graduates on their success via videoconference.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and to enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

* Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara