Turkey says Afrin fully under control


(MENAFN) On Saturday, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said that the Turkish-led coalition now has full control over Syria's Afrin, BBC Turkish said.

"The Afrin region has been taken completely under control, and the search operations to ensure that the people of the region safely return to their homes continue," the announcement said.

However, the TSK warned of potential attacks by Kurdish militant groups and forces loyal to the Islamic State (ISIS).

"While minesweeping and explosives disposal work continues around al-Bab, precautions aimed at preventing attacks carried out to the east from Afrin and to the west from Manbij by PKK/KCK/PYD/YPG and ISIS terrorist elements carefully continue," it said.

"In particular, responses are being given to harassment and attacks in the Tel Rifat region and from time to time in the Manbij region within the scope of legitimate self-defence. A contribution is being made to normalisation work being carried out in the region (infrastructure, superstructure, support for local administrations, etc.)."

Turkey-backed FSA militia swept into Afrin town on March18, raising their and Turkish flags in the town center and declaring full control after an eight-week campaign to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters. Mustafa said civilians still in Afrin town were facing threats from the Turkey-backed groups.


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