Anadolu Agency films YPG/PKK tunnels in Syria’s Afrin

By Omer Koparan

AFRIN, Syria (AA) – A network of underground tunnels used by YPG/PKK terrorists against Turkish forces were discovered in Syria’s Afrin region on Tuesday, according to Anadolu Agency reporters on the ground.

Dug by terrorists in the hills around the Afrin town center, the tunnels were found by members of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) who were on a search operation in the area.

Anadolu Agency crew filmed the long tunnels running for almost 400 meters (437 yd) as well as the high-tech construction equipment the terrorists had used to dig the tunnels.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Saif Abubakr, a commander of the Hamza Division of the National Army linked to the FSA, said the terrorists had planned to connect the tunnels to the center of town but failed to do so as they had to escape from the area due to Turkey's Operation Olive Branch.

On Sunday, Turkish-backed FSA troops liberated the town of Afrin, which had been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since 2012.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear all terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria amid growing threats posed from the region.

A total of 3,655 terrorists have been “neutralized” since the start of the operation, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted.

According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch has aimed at establishing security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protecting Syrians from the cruelty and oppression of terrorists.