Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) Haitham Afeisi
Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) Haitham Afeisi, in an exclusive interview with Yeni Şafak daily, declared that after the operation in Afrin was concluded, one in Manbij would follow.
“We have no deficiencies in terms of weapons, ammunition or fighters, and we are morally ready as well. A 10,000-strong force is ready for Manbij,” he said.
‘We will battle U.S. forces’
Highlighting the significance of a possible operation in Manbij, Afeisi pointed to the U.S. activities in the region.
“We regard Manbij as strategically important as Afrin, so as Syria’s National Army (“al-Jaysh al-Watani”) we have declared war against the Kurdistan workers’ Party (PKK) formations in Manbij. Rather than the PKK, the U.S. is the more pressing problem. In the case that the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the FSA were to enter Manbij, the U.S., as it did in Afrin, will withdraw its support from the terrorists. If it does not, we will battle U.S. forces deployed in that region as well.”
Operation Olive Branch was initiated on Jan. 20 in Afrin to establish security and stability, eliminate PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists, and save locals from their oppression and cruelty. 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, it said. The military also said it is putting the "utmost importance" on not harming any civilians.1. Where exactly is Afrin?Afrin is a district as well as a city in northern Syria, and is part of the Aleppo Governorate. Before the war, it had a population of approximately 500,000, but the current population is unknown. There is a total of 360 villages in Afrin. As it is located near border gates, Afrin boasts geopolitical importance. Afrin is positioned in northwest Syria, and is very close to the Turkish border.What is the most important source of income?The symbol of Afrin is the olive tree. As a result of its Mediterranean climate, Afrin is known for its olives, and its industry comes from the olive and its by-products. Aleppo soap is another significant source of income. However, these resources have become unusable because of the war. As a result of the pressure imposed by terrorist organizations such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syrian offshoot, the PYD, locals were exiled from the region and experienced difficulty in their life conditions.Galeri: Turkey's 'Operation Olive Branch' in AfrinWhat are Afrin’s demographics?Prior to the war, Afrin was a town comprised mostly of Arabs. Turkmens and Kurds were also a significant part of the demographics. Afrin is a place with high traffic because it is a commercially important region. But after 2014, terrorists from the PYD/PKK were brought from Iraq and other regions and started to increase in number in Afrin. In January 2014, the terrorist organization PKK/PYD declared autonomy with the support of the U.S. in the region. The PKK/PYD caused the Turkmens and Arabs in the region to leave as a result of their racist attitude.2. Who are the parties involved, and why is Afrin so important?Afrin is important for Turkey because Ankara opposes the terror corridor trying to be established on the northern Syrian border.The district was important for Daesh because prior to August 2016, Afrin was used for terrorist reinforcements.Afrin is important for the U.S. and the PYD/PKK because it holds geographical significance in order to join cantons and reach the Mediterranean. Furthermore, the U.S., which aims to target Turkey from the south, is using the PYD/PKK to reach its goals in the region.It is important for the Syrian regime and its biggest supporter, Russia, because border districts like Afrin must be controlled in order to govern over the whole of Syria.Video: FSA troops capture PKK/PYD terrorists amid Turkey’s Afrin operationWhat led up to the Afrin operation?In 2012, PKK ringleader Abdullah Öcalan ordered the Syrian offshoot, the PYD, to be established. There are approximately 8,000-10,000 terrorists in Afrin. The PYD/PKK is targeting Turkey using mortar attacks, just as Daesh did. The terrorist organization transports terrorists and arms to the Turkey via the Amanos Mountains from Afrin.PKK terrorists in Afrin behind the terror attacks!PKK members who receive training in the PYD/PKK-occupied area conduct attacks once they infiltrate Turkey from the border district. As a result of terror attacks in Turkey in 2015 and 2016, 14,286 people were killed. The PKK received the biggest logistical and terrorist support between 2015 and 2016 from places under the control of the PYD/PKK.Turkey's Operation Olive Branch directed only against terror groups: Presidential spox3. What is the aim of the PYD/PKK in Afrin?As a result of the PYD/PKK’s oppression, 350,000 Syrian Kurds fled to Turkey. Approximately 65 percent of the Syria-Turkey border is under the terrorist organization’s control. The PYD/PKK aims to advance from Afrin to the Mediterranean with the help of the U.S. to anchor itself on the world stage. The PYD/PKK threatens the Euphrates Shield region which was cleared of Daesh terrorists.4. How is the Turkish military running Operation Olive Branch?Operation Olive Branch was initiated with an air attack on Jan. 20 in Afrin by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). Turkish warplanes struck PYD/PKK positions in Afrin. Some factions tied to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) supported the TAF by entering some PYD/PKK-occupied regions.Video: Turkish artillery hits PYD/PKK targets in Syria's AfrinHow will the TAF proceed?According to Resul Serdar Ataş, the operation will go through four stages:YPG targets will come under heavy fire from Turkish territories.TAF-backed FSA forces will start at a zero point within Syria and continue into central Afrin by clearing the area riddled with minesEvacuation paths will be cleared for civiliansIntense clashes within the cityDr. Can Kasapoğlu, a War Studies and Security Studies scholar and military analyst at the Economics and Foreign Politics Center (EDAM) believes the Afrin operation could prevent future national security issues. Dr. Kasapoğlu said the operation carries crucial importance considering Turkey’s role in the Syria equation.“Afrin is necessary, because it may prevent a more dire national security problem in the future,” he said.Video: Footage of three terrorists neutralized in AfrinFree Syrian Army captures village in Syria’s AfrinRohingya orphans in Bangladesh pray for Turkish armyTurkey uses 75 pct domestic ammo, weapons in Operation Olive BranchSyrian refugees cheer on Turkey's anti-terror operationPlans for Afrin operation started three months ago
Significance of Operation Olive Branch summarized in five points
“The military cooperation between Turkey and the FSA that began with Operation Euphrates Shield will continue until Syrian people find peace. The forces that use every means to prevent Syrian people from being in power in their own regions will have to face the determination of Turkey and Syria’s National Army. We have come to an agreement with Ankara on all matters. Manbij is not the final destination; we won’t stop until Hasakah, Ayn Issa, Ayn al-Arab, Ras al-Ayn, Al-Malikiyah, and Tal Abyad are purged of terror,” he stated.
Around 30 sub-groups of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), under the guidance of Turkey, have unified to form the country’s 22,000-strong “National Army,” becoming Syria’s largest armed group that will fight against the Assad regime, Daesh and the PKK terrorists.
Meetings with the Assad regime
Haitham Afeisi also shared that the U.S. and the PKK had been meeting with Assad regarding a possible handover of Manbij.
“The U.S. and the PKK have been trying to find a way out against Turkey’s determined stance. They are in panic over Manbij. PKK is aware that it can’t hold on in Manbij, but it doesn’t want to surrender the town to the FSA or the TAF. Therefore, it has been negotiating with Damascus on a possible handover of the city to the Assad regime, which doesn’t possess enough power to enter and establish control of Manbij. The Assad regime was removed from Manbij in 2013. It once again entering would result in never-ending conflicts in the region. The U.S. and Western countries have chosen a handful of PKK terrorists over the Syrian people. Practically creating the PKK from scratch, they planted it in the region. In this regard, Operation Olive Branch launched in Afrin is a meaningful response to their treason attempt. We, as Syria’s National Army, are proud to fight side-by-side with Turkish soldiers,” Afesi asserted.
Around 30 sub-groups of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), under the guidance of Tukey, have unified to form the country’s 22,000 strong “National Army,” becoming Syria’s largest armed group that will fight against the Assad regime, Daesh and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists.Pentagon founds MOC In 2014, the Military Operations Command (MOC) was founded by the Pentagon in order to be the sole center to coordinate aid to opposition fighters. MOC, which was run by American officers, carried out dealings with small groups while shunning over 40,000 Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters who operated at the highest levels of discipline and professionalism. Thirty groups mergeThe Turkey-backed National Army, or al-Jaysh al-Watani in Arabic, is comprised of over 30 sub-groups which fought in the provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, Homs, Hama, Raqqa, Hasaka, Deir Ezzor and Latakia, making it the biggest fighting force in Syria since the breakout of the civil war in 2011. The 22,000 strong National army, which was founded by the head of Syria’s Interim Government Jawad Abu Hatab, is set to play a big role in the upcoming Afrin operation.National Army to take part in upcoming Afrin operationIn the wide-ranging Euphrates Shield Operation launched in August 2016, the Free Syrian Army -- with the support of the Turkish army -- had cleared 2,000 square kilometers (772 square miles) of land along the Turkish-Syrian border of terrorist elements. Over 15,000 soldiers in the newly-founded Syrian National Army are preparing to take part in the upcoming Afrin operation against PKK terrorists.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.Following the Afrin operation, brigades of the National Army will fight alongside the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in the Tal Abyad and Manbij operations.Three Türkmen brigadesThere are three Turkmen brigades among the ranks of the newly announced National Army that was formed following a meeting in Azaz. These brigades included the Sultan Mehmet Fatih brigade, which is under the command of Doğan Suleiman, and the Muntasir Billah and the newly-founded Sultan Murat Brigade.PKK/PYD, Assad regime make common cause in AleppoTurkey’s upcoming operation in Syria to extend beyond AfrinUS sends anti-tank TOW missiles to PKK terrorists in AfrinTurkey’s Afrin operation imminent as Russian troops withdraw
Turkey-backed National Army formed in Syria
Operation Olive Branch was initiated on Jan. 20 in Afrin to establish security and stability, eliminate PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists, and save locals from their oppression and cruelty.
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, it said.
The military also said it is putting the "utmost importance" on not harming any civilians.
Families return to Shenkal village which is the first to be cleared of the PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG in Afrin, SyriaCivilians return to liberated village in Afrin amid Operation Olive Branch
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