Almost 3,500 Syrians return to Jarabulus from Turkey

By Feride Pelin Inal

GAZIANTEP, Turkey

The number of Syrians who have returned to Jarabulus near the Turkish border is now almost 3,500, a local migration official told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.

The area has seen the return of citizens weeks after the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) liberated the town in Aleppo province.

Oktay Bahceci, head of the Gaziantep regional migration office, said the Syrians -- most of whom were women and children -- were able to go to Jarabulus after registration and a security check at Turkey’s Karkamis border crossing.

“Our office carries out the registrations,” said Bahceci. “To date, a total of 3,462 people have left the country [for Syria]."

Operation Euphrates Shield began last month and saw Free Syrian Army fighters, backed by the Turkish military, take control of Jarabulus from Daesh.

Syrian opposition forces recently took control of the Tal-ar district in the town of Cobanbey in northwestern Aleppo province, also occupied by Daesh militants.

Turkey said the operation aims to bolster border security, support coalition forces and eliminate the threat posed by terror organizations, especially Daesh.

The operation is in line with the country’s right to self-defense borne out of international treaties and a mandate given to Turkey’s armed forces by its parliament in 2014, which was extended for another year in September 2015.