Syria’s Jarabulus marks first terror-free Eid

By Mehmet Akif Parlak

GAZIANTEP/ALEPPO (AA) - Syrian people returning to the liberated city of Jarabulus are happy to observe their first terror-free Eid al-Adha in two and a half years.

Jarabulus was cleared of Daesh on August 24, as part of Turkish military’s Operation Euphrates Shield, which aims to drive Daesh out of the region to the south of Turkey’s border.

Yasser Salaam, a father of four children, told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that they fled from Daesh cruelty and took refuge in Aleppo's Azaz town.

Salaam said he and his family decided to return to Jarabulus after the city was liberated from terrorists by the Free Syrian Army forces backed by the Turkish Armed Forces.

"The last time we saw our relatives was a year ago. Now we are together, and very happy to be celebrating the first Eid in a while,” he said, and thanked the Turkish government and its people for their support.

Salaam’s wife Wahide said she was very grateful to finally get reunited with her nephews and nieces, and expressed her gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"We are delighted. We do not want anybody else but Recep Tayyip Erdogan. May God bless him. All Arabs love him,” she said.

A family guest, Faruk Al-Bahri said he fled to Turkey two years ago but his family stayed in Jarabulus.

Al-Bahri said that they would never forget Turkey's help.

"We thank Turkey very much. We are finally back with our friends, neighbors and relatives this Eid, and we are very happy. Thank you for everything," he said.

The life in Jarabulus started to get back to normal following the city’s liberation as many of its displaced residents began to return to their homes. Many of the residents had crossed the border and took refuge in Turkey.

The city’s population, which had dropped down under 5,000 when it was under Daesh control, went up to 25,000 over the past week.

Turkey has been helping restore the city, including offering infrastructural support, and access to power and drinking water.