Free Syrian commander says recruitment has tripled

JARABULUS, Syria

A commander of a Turkey-backed Syrian opposition force said Friday the number of fighters in his group tripled to 3,000 after the capture of a key city from Daesh.

Commander of the Sultan Murad Brigade within the Free Syrian Army (FSA), Muhammed Sihli, told Anadolu Agency young Syrians living abroad had returned to join the FSA after the liberation of Jarabulus.

The northern Syrian city was retaken from Daesh with the help of Turkish military support.

Sihli said the new recruits had “brought positive energy to us” and added how Turkish soldiers and logistics played crucial roles in the operation.

“We have glowed by dint of Turkey’s support,” he said.

He also called on those who fled from Daesh to return to Syria. “We are the owners of these places,” he added.

Turkey-backed opposition forces have cleared over 1,260 square kilometers (486 square miles) of Daesh terrorists in northern Syria, including 155 residential areas as part of Operation Euphrates Shield.

The operation, 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.

Reporting by Mehmet Akif Parlak; Writing by Ilker Girit