Afrin could be liberated within 20 days: FSA commander

Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters, backed by Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), are capable of liberating the northwestern Syrian town of Afrin within 20 days, according to an FSA commander who spoke to Yeni Şafak from the frontlines.

FSA commander Sadiq Ibrahim told Yeni Şafak that a 2,000 strong special army unit has been formed for the purpose of advancing towards the Tal Rifat- Afrin axis. “If we start the operation today, we could take Afrin within 20 days,“ noted Ibrahim.

Commander Ibrahim pointed that in August 2016, the FSA had only 17 northern Aleppo towns under its control, however now, after the success of the Euphrates Shield operation, the opposition controls 210 towns and villages all across the border, noting that “we share the same goal with Turkey. Following the Euphrates Shield operation, 1.3 million people returned home and peace was restored in the region. “

Ibrahim pointed that controlling the Azaz-Marea-Jarabulus region will become the next target for the U.S./PKK alliance after the Raqqa operation, “this is the best time to launch the operation. Together with our Turkish brothers we could save the region from this insidious plot within a month. All that is needed is for the start sign to be given,“ continued Ibrahim.

According to Ibrahim, two infiltration operations targeting PYD positions were carried out in June, during which over 20 PKK terrorists were killed. “We managed to seize many weapons during the operations. They were nothing but a hired army of mercenaries,“ said Ibrahim.

Speaking to Yeni Şafak, Ibrahim pointed that the towns and villages currently occupied by PKK terrorists were the first to rise up against the Syrian regime, which he says makes the opposition impatient to start the Afrin operation.

“International diplomacy regularly distracts us. Now they say wait for the Astana peace talks. If we attack now, all of the PKK-occupied towns in Afrin would be cleared out,“ concluded Ibrahim.