Syrians grateful to Turkey for ridding north of terror

Syrians, who live in tents near northern Syria's city of Jarabulus, have expressed gratitude to Turkey as the city has been cleared of terror elements as part of Operation Euphrates Shield.

Having escaped the civil war in their country, several Syrian nationals are living in safe areas close to the Turkish border on the Syrian side as the Daesh presence was eliminated in the area within the scope of the operation.

Operation Euphrates Shield, which began on Aug. 24, backed by the Turkish Armed Forces, is aimed at bolstering border security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the threat posed by terrorist organizations in Syria, especially Daesh.

A Syrian named Ali Ahmed Mustafa, who lives in a tent near the Turkish border with his family, spoke to Anadolu Agency on Monday.

"The Turkish border is safer," said Mustafa, who escaped from Syria's Shuyuh village -- south of Jarabulus -- which is controlled by terrorist organization PKK-affiliate PYD.

Many Syrian families reside in tents near the Turkish border, in Jarabulus after escaping from clashes in Aleppo, Hama and Raqqah. They await the completion of a tent city in Jarabulus so that they can return in winter.

"Two hundred families are living here. There are 300-400 tents. Each family has four or five children. Charities usually satisfy our needs. We regard ourselves lucky as we are living safe," Mustafa stated.

"Our lives are safe, may Allah bless Turkey. The weather is getting colder, living [in these conditions] becomes a bit more difficult, especially with children who are getting affected by the cold and sickness. We hope our problems will end before winter," he added.

Another Syrian, Mustafa Sibiri, who escaped from Aleppo a month ago, said: "Thankfully we are in safe here. May Allah bless Turkey as they cleared here of terrorists. Life in the tents becomes more difficult. I am trying to make money by selling foodstuff that I brought in front of my tent and I fulfill the others' needs. We see ourselves lucky as our lives are not in danger."

Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests – which erupted as part of the Arab Spring uprisings – with unexpected ferocity.

The Syrian Center for Policy Research, a Beirut-based NGO, has put the total death toll from the five-year conflict at more than 470,000.