Civilians in Afrin grateful for Turkey's support

By Erdal Turkoglu and Sarp Ozer

HATAY, Turkey (AA) - Civilians in Afrin are experiencing the happiness of finally having a peaceful and safe atmosphere in the city, cleared on March 18 from YPG/PKK terrorists by Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) during the ongoing operation.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, civilians living under the oppression of the terrorists shared their experiences of these difficult days.

In the face of heavy pressure from the YPG/PKK, civilians went through hard times, with some families unable to even leave their homes for months.

Ramazan Hussein, who lives in the Afrin center, said the YPG/PKK had persecuted civilians in the region for four years.

The 63-year old said people were scared even to “thrust their heads out” of their houses.

“They [YPG/PKK] confiscated our cars, our homes were destroyed. They tyrannized us. We are so exasperated,” he said.

“They [YPG/PKK] did not give us any right to talk or to self-defense, they would take those who spoke out from their homes. We didn’t know where they would be taken,” he added.

Hussein thanked Turkey for its support in cleaning the terrorists from the region.

“Many thanks to the Turkish soldiers and the Turkish Red Crescent, who are helping us in any way they can,” he said.

Abdurrahman Nahsan said he felt very good about finally leaving behind the hard times.

The 72-year old said that he was now living in a safer environment having gone through a period of terrorist oppression, during which he did not have money even to buy bread.

Nahsan said that some basic necessities in the city, such as hospitals, were provided by Turkish authorities.

Welcoming the Turkish soldiers to Afrin, Nahsan noted he was ready to help them in whatever way he could.

Hozan Tebo, another civilian in Afrin, said the Turkish military brought safety to the region.

"Afrin is safe, the people are moving about comfortably," he said.

Ali Hasan said the terrorists had ruined the daily life of civilians, which was now changing with the arrival of Turkish soldiers.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Mehmet Gulluoglu -- head of Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) -- noted that humanitarian aid activities in Afrin continued at an intensive pace.

Gulluoglu said, in collaboration with different organizations, such as the Turkish Red Crescent, AFAD continued its aid delivery as well as providing infrastructure, health and education services.