PYD/PKK terrorists in Afrin masking selves as civilians

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - Feeling the heat due to Turkey’s military operation in Afrin, Syria, PYD/PKK terrorists are trying to disguise themselves as civilians, according to security sources on the ground.

Due the Turkish military’s successful advance, the so-called officials of the PYD/PKK terrorist group are trying provocative new methods, said the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

As part of their provocative activities and attempts to mislead the public, the so-called officials ordered PYD/PKK terrorists to disguise themselves in civilian clothes and defend themselves by evacuating civilian houses in villages and townships in the path of the Turkish military, the sources added.

The terrorist group has been trying to use civilians in the region as human shields since the beginning of the operation, said the sources, adding that the terrorists have been seeking new methods as one by one their plans were foiled by the Turkish military.

There is also intelligence that the PYD/PKK is planning to bomb civilians in the region and put the blame on Turkish forces.

On the other hand, Turkish soldiers, who continue to advance towards the Afrin city center along with the Free Syrian Army forces, are giving a helping hand to the people in the region, in the villages they have rid of the terrorists.

Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012 when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without a fight.