Syria: YPG/PKK targets children with anti-tank missile

By Erdal Turkoglu

HATAY, Turkey (AA) - The YPG/PKK terrorists in northwestern Syria's Afrin region attacked a vehicle carrying children and elderly passengers on Friday using an anti-tank missile.

The Hamo family, living in a village near Jandairis town, west of Afrin, were later taken to the Turkish border province of Hatay after being rescued by Turkish soldiers currently in the region as part of the ongoing Operation Olive Branch.

"We saw terrorists lay mines around our village, and we tried to escape, but our truck was attacked," Ayse Hamo told Anadolu Agency. "I have 10 children, three of whom were wounded," she said.

The YPG/PKK terrorists attacked the family truck as they were trying to escape to a safer village -- one liberated by the Turkish Armed Forces.

Two family members were killed and three of Ayse Hamo's children, Meryem (3), Esra (7) and Zeynep (13) as well as her sister, a 30-year old woman named Hatice, were injured.

The injured were rescued by Turkish soldiers and rushed to a hospital in the border town of Reyhanli in Hatay.

Accompanying her wounded sister and daughters to the hospital, Ayse Hamo said YPG/PKK pressure and threats had made them leave their home.

Hamo said her remaining children were placed in a safe village near the border.

"May Allah grant Turkish troops victory and save us from this tyranny," she said. "We are all wounded. All of our people are under persecution."

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s 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.

Both the military and Turkish authorities have repeatedly said that the operation targets only terrorist elements and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming any civilians.