As Syria’s northwestern Afrin marks the anniversary of the launch of a Turkish military operation in the region, grateful residents celebrate and rejoice in living their lives terror-free.
Since the Free Syrian Army (FSA)-backed Turkish intervention was launched on Jan. 20, 2018, 3,900 square kilometers have been purged of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists, who had held the region under their terrifying occupation for five years.
Turkey spared no effort to liberate the city as it sacrificed 54 martyrs and 240 veterans for its noble cause. On March 18, Turkish troops and the Free Syrian Army liberated the Afrin district center.
In one year, Turkey rehabilitated the city’s infrastructure, rebuilding roads, schools, healthcare, trade, manufacturing and local governance.
Dozens of roads have been rebuilt in the Afrin city center and its surrounding villages, in addition to digging new roads.
A number of mosques which were turned into PKK headquarters during the group’s reign of terror in the city were again restored to their former state as places of worship.
A police force made up of the city’s locals was trained by Turkey and tasked with protecting the city’s residents and property.
Over 30 healthcare centers were established and equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, providing crucial medical services to the city’s residents.
Dozens of acres of land seized by PKK terrorists between 2012- 2017 were returned to their rightful owners.
Additionally, thanks to Turkey’s efforts in rebuilding damaged schools, close to 58,000 children were able to resume their studies and go back to school.
Olive cultivation and pressing activities were also resumed, once again providing locals of Afrin with their main source of income.
Efforts undertaken by Turkey in one year helped set up lasting solutions that are poised to secure peace and stability in Afrin in the long run.
