6 years since Türkiye launched 1st anti-terror operation in Syria

By Omer Koparan

AL-BAB, Syria (AA) - It has been six years since Türkiye launched its first cross-border operation against terror groups in northern Syria.

In line with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Türkiye launched Operation Euphrates Shield on Aug. 24, 2016, in al-Bab, across its border in northern Syria, against terror groups, particularly the Daesh/ISIS terror group.

On the first day of the operation, the Jarablus district was liberated from the terror groups. Al-Bab was cleared of terrorists on Feb. 23, 2017.

With the operation, settlements located between the two districts, an area of 2,055 square kilometers (0.79 square miles), were cleared of terrorists in 217 days.

Thanks to the projects launched by Türkiye in the fields of education, health, infrastructure and service, in order to normalize life in the region, the population in these areas reached nearly 2 million.

Türkiye played a key role in the opening of nearly 700 schools that were renovated or rebuilt, enabling around 300,000 students to attend schools in the region.

Meanwhile, Gaziantep University, located in Türkiye’s southeastern Gaziantep province, also carries out higher education activities in the Syrian regions of Jarablus, al-Bab and Azaz.

The Turkish Ministry of Health carries out activities to normalize life in the areas cleared of terrorists, to provide health services needed as part of humanitarian and technical assistance, and to minimize patient referrals from Syria to Türkiye.

In the town of Al-Rai, a medical faculty affiliated with the Turkish University of Health Sciences was established.

A total of 280 mosques were restored and 253 new mosques were built in the region as part of the efforts led by Türkiye’s Directorate General of Foundations and Diyanet Foundation.

- ‘No trace of destruction’

In order to provide employment and revive the regional economy, industrial estates are also established in the regions liberated during Operation Euphrates Shield.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Mustafa Osman, head of al-Bab’s local council, said that after the Turkish armed forces and the Syrian National Army cleared the region of Daesh/ISIS terrorists, the first thing to do was to revive the region.

"We have renovated roads between cities and villages. All houses have been provided with clean water infrastructure, but the drought in the region brings water shortages ... We are trying our best to ensure that the people of the region live in prosperity," he said.

Muhammed Nedim, who is involved in copper work in the al-Bab district center, said that he was able to return home only after the operation the by Turkish Armed Forces and the Syrian National Army.

"Our houses and shops were damaged by terrorism. After six years, we are in very good condition now. Thanks to Allah, there is no trace of the destruction of Daesh. Thanks to Türkiye, we live in a safe environment, we can do and we can reach everything easily," Nedim added.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018) and Peace Spring (2019).

In 2013, Türkiye became one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist group.

The country has since been attacked by the terror group multiple times, with over 300 people killed and hundreds more injured in at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks, and four armed assaults.

In response, Türkiye launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.