Landmines in Syria's Tal Abyad rip lives apart

By Omer Koparan Adham Kako

TAL ABYAD/ ANKARA (AA) - Turkey-backed forces continue clearing landmines planted by YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria that have claimed dozens of lives.

Dua Zeki, 15, told Anadolu Agency that he lost an eye when he stepped on a landmine in Tal Abyad town.

He was brought to a hospital in Turkey.

"I asked them what happened to me while I was in the hospital and my uncle said I became like this after the explosion," Zeki said.

He said he was unable to walk and his hands and arms were wounded.

"My hands and arms hurt. I am unable to see from my left eye. I want to get better," he said.

Ebu Ibrahim, a father of six, said he lost his eye when he stepped on a landmine on his way back from work.

"I went to the doctor. He told me there is no cure. A lot of civilians died and got wounded because of mines. May Allah help those living there," Ibrahim said, adding that he can no longer look after his family.

Muhammed Assad, a health personnel, said at least 20 civilians lost their limbs and five were paralyzed after stepping on mines.

The Syrian National Army, a rebel group who is fighting the Assad regime and is Turkey's local ally in Syria, is defusing the mines in Ayn Issa and Tal Abyad districts.

Abu Abdullah Zirbe, a Syrian National Army commander, said in a statement that they have identified Russian-made mines in civilian settlements.

Since the removal of YPG/PKK from Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn, dozens of civilians have been killed and injured by car bomb attacks and trapped mines.

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

The operation has been paused following two agreements with the U.S. and Russia allowing terrorists to withdraw from the planned terror-free zone.

But YPG/PKK terrorists continue launching attacks on civilians.

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 Dilara Hamit