Turkish aid group gives hot meals to Afrin residents

By Said Ibicioglu and Omer Koparan

AFRIN, Syria (AA) - Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) on Friday began distributing hot meals to residents of Afrin town center, which was recently cleared of terrorists by the Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army.

IHH coordination team’s Enes Kandemir told Anadolu Agency hot meals were being given to 10,000 people per day through a food bank that was established after the town was liberated.

Kandemir said they gave bread, potatoes, flour and water to 1,000 families in Afrin.

He added the IHH also provided diapers and baby food in the regions cleared of terrorists.

Turkish aid agencies have stepped up their humanitarian assistance efforts for Afrin since Turkish troops and FSA fighters liberated the town center from YPG/PKK terrorists on March 18.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear all terrorist elements from Afrin, amid growing threats from the region.

The Turkish General Staff has strongly maintained that the aim of the operation is to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.