Agriculture at standstill in Syria’s Tal Abyad

By Omer Koparan and Adham Kako

TAL ABYAD, Syria (AA) - Agricultural activities came to a standstill in Syria’s northern city of Tal Abyad when it had been under YPG/PKK terror group’s control until liberated by Turkey’s successful military operation in late October.

Tal Abyad was freed from YPG/PKK terrorists by Turkey's counter-terrorism operation in northern Syria.

Corn, cotton and wheat are the main agricultural products grown in Tal Abyad bordering Turkey’s Akcakale district of southeastern Sanliurfa province. But more than four years of YPG/PKK occupation and nearly nine years of civil war have brought these activities to a halt.

"The [YPG/PKK] terror group used to impose taxes on the farmers. We were unable to grow whatever we want. There were no fertilizers and seeds," Mohammed Abdulhadi, a resident of Sukkariyah village west of Tal Abyad, told Anadolu Agency.

Abdulhadi said the farmers expect the Syrian National Army to provide them with diesel fuel and seeds.

"I have a field but I could not grow anything due to the terror group’s occupation for the last four years," a farmer, Ali Hammam, said.

Cuma Aneyzan said the fertilizers are expensive and he could not afford buying fuel.

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

Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the planned Syria safe zone.

Prior to this, Turkey led two successful operations, Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield, in northern Syria to rid the region of terrorists.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.

* Writing by Sibel Morrow