Syrians returning to terror-free Afrin

By Izzet Mazi

KILIS, Turkey (AA) - Syrian families who had to flee Afrin because of terror are now returning to their homes in small groups.

On Thursday, a group of 130 Syrians, children among them, applied to the Oncupinar Migration Office in the southeastern Kilis province, the Anadolu Agency correspondent in the region reported.

As part of the Voluntary Return Program launched by the Turkish government, families are sent back to their homes in vehicles once their vetting processes are duly completed by officials.

A Syrian man named Ate Abbas talked to Anadolu Agency at the migration office, saying that they had had to seek asylum in Turkey because of attacks by terrorist groups.

"I would like to thank the Turkish state and its people. May Allah give us strength so that we can repay Turkey," Abbas said.

Another Syrian Zemo Zeybek said he and his family were joyful because they were now able to return to their homes.

“May Allah bless Turkey, may Allah protect the ummah (the global community of Muslims),” Zeybek said.

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

On March 18, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin, on the 58th day of the operation.

More than 4,000 terrorists have been neutralized since the start of the operation.

The operation was 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.