Turkish army rescues disabled woman in Afrin operation

By Erdal Turkoglu

HATAY, Turkey (AA) - Turkish soldiers have rescued a disabled woman in Hammam village in Syria’s northwestern district of Afrin, according to a district governor Monday.

The Free Syrian Army, backed by the Turkish Armed Forces, last Tuesday captured the Hammam village, which lies in a strategic location -- the terrorist PYD/PKK group had been using it to attack Turkey’s southern Reyhanli district in Hatay province.

The soldiers found the exhausted disabled woman during their search of houses in the village.

The woman was initially brought to the first aid tent of Turkey's National Medical Research Team (UMKE) -- which was set on the border line -- via an armored ambulance of Turkish Ministry of Health. After an initial check-up, she was referred to a state hospital in Hatay.

Hatay’s Kumlu District Governor Adnan Karaosmanoglu visited the UMKE tent and told Anadolu Agency that due sensitivity was being shown to civilians during the ongoing operation in Afrin.

“Our soldiers found her alone and on verge of death because of PYD [/PKK] elements, in Hammam village, which is just on the other side of Turkey’s border,” Karaosmanoglu said.

Turkey is now taking care of the disabled woman and providing her with the necessary treatment, he added.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PYD/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 oppression and cruelty.