Turkish forces continue to clear liberated areas in Afrin of mines left behind by the terror group that killed over 30 civilians since March 22
The Democratic Union Party (PYD)/Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has occupied Afrin since 2012, has turned the northwestern Syrian region into a minefield. The terror group positioned 15,000 mines in Afrin’s town center, Badenli, Arab Uşağı, Bulbul, Jinderes, Mabadlı, Sheikh Hadid, Tahtani, Nebi Huri and Meydanki.
As a result of mine explosions, over 30 civilians have died since March 22. Free Syrian Army (FSA) commander Colonel Abu Abdo evaluated the situation and said that 13 fighters had been martyred by the mines.
Colonel Abdo stated that mine clearing activities were continuing nonstop, and that it was the civilians who mostly fell victims to the mines.
“The locals who fled during our fight against the PKK have started to return to their homes. Currently, most of the dead are civilians who returned to their homes. As a result of the mines in settlement and rural areas, over 70 children, women and the elderly have been wounded,” he said.
Colonel Abdo lauded Turkey for providing the means for Afrin’s civilians to return to their homes.
“Turkey is exerting a great effort to enable the return of Afrin locals who were forced to flee. Currently, teams are conducting nonstop mine clearing activities. Just two days ago, a youth who returned home was killed and two others were heavily wounded,” he said.
Operation Olive Branch was initiated on Jan. 20 in Afrin to establish security and stability, eliminate terrorists of PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh, and save locals from the terrorists’ oppression and cruelty.
On March 18, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin, on the 58th day of the operation.
“PKK traps start on the stairs of a home and extend into electrical switches, children’s toys and bedding. The incident from two days ago occurred when the family tried to take out their blankets to sleep. One of the wounded victims had to have both legs cut off,” he added.
“Thousands of houses still have the same traps, and especially in the Afrin center, many places pose a serious mine threat. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed by terrorist mines. The Turkish authorities are very careful about this issue and constantly warn civilians. Announcements to ensure that only designated routes are used and other roads are avoided are also constantly made. The mines planted by the PKK and its supporters utilize all kinds of technology, and this continues to be the greatest threat for Afrin locals,” Colonel Abdo said.
Squads conducting explosive detection operations in an Afrin village found eight Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at a primary school. The teams neutralized the bombs and prevented a massacre targeting children.
Turkish forces continue to clear liberated areas in Afrin of mines left behind by YPG/PKK terrorists.
