Locals continue return to Afrin in NW Syria

Locals continue returning to their homes in Syria's Afrin which was liberated from terrorists during Operation Olive Branch.

Regular health services are provided in the region and food aid continues.

Turkish Armed Forces have destroyed 208 mines and 1,129 improvised explosives.

Turkish soldiers are taking necessary measures in the areas cleared of mines and improvised explosives, and are facilitating the return of locals to their homes.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert in a news conference claimed the citizens of Afrin "are not being allowed back in their homes and communities", however sources on the ground dismissed the claim and said the return of locals to their homes continues in the areas cleared of mines and improvised explosives.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 this year to clear the YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorist groups from Afrin, amid growing threats from the region.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, according to the Turkish military.

On March 18, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin, on the 58th day of the operation.

- 15,000 pieces of bread distributed daily

Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Turkish Red Crescent and the UN are jointly providing humanitarian aid to civilians in Afrin so that normalcy returns to their lives.

In this framework, AFAD, Turkish Red Crescent and other civil society groups have distributed humanitarian aid at 279 locations since Jan. 29 until Friday.

Also, locals are provided food, sanitary materials and hot meals. Turkish Armed Forces' bakery on-wheels in the region is distributing 15,000 pieces of bread every day.

The Emergency Hospital in Jinderes established by the Turkish Armed Forces and the Afrin Hospital established by the Turkish Ministry of Health are providing regular medical services to the locals.

Turkish soldiers are taking all necessary measures to assure the safe return of the locals to their homes which have been cleared of mines and explosives.

This way, the locals who were forcibly displaced due to the oppression and pressure of the terror group are returning to their homes.