Syrian student in Turkey dreams of family reunion

By Abdullah Dogan

KONYA, Turkey (AA) - A Syrian university student, who currently lives in Turkey’s central Konya province, is hanging on the hope that the Turkish military’s success in Afrin, his hometown, would eventually reunite him with his family.

Halid Rahman, who is studying chemistry at the Selcuk University in Konya district, told Anadolu Agency that he has not seen his family for the last three years. His only contact with them is over the phone.

“My mother and three siblings are staying in Afrin. I will be able to meet my family again if the Turkish military clears Afrin of terrorists,” he said.

The 21-year-old said he got separated from his family after the terror group YPG/PKK fiercely occupied his hometown.

“After 2012, life in Afrin had become unbearable. The terror group uses forces on us through their arms.

“The PYD/PKK forces are brainwashing the society,” Rahman said.

About Afrin, he said it is a region that is home to various cultures and peoples, including Kurds, Turkmen and Arabs.

Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and 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 protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.

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, it said.

The military has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and "utmost car" is being taken to avoid harming any civilians.