Students in northern Syria return to schools

SANLİURFA, Turkey

More than 7,000 Syrian students in Syria’s Ras al-Ayn province began to return to school thanks to peace in the region, Turkish officials said Wednesday.

The Governorship of Sanliurfa in southeast Turkey said 45 schools that were damaged by terrorists in the northern province were restored by Turkey and students began to return.

The Governorship said 319 teachers were appointed by Turkey to give schooling to Syrian students and stationery equipment, clothes, school bags and books were provided to 7,222 students.

Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) distributed 150 gas stoves and nearly 6,000-liter fuel to the schools.

Ras al-Ayn was liberated by Turkey and the Syrian National Army from terror elements such as YPG/PKK and Daesh/ISIS.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terrorist operations across its border into northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor: Operations Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (October 2019).

Operation Peace Spring was launched to eliminate terrorist YPG/PKK and Daesh/ISIS elements east of the Euphrates River to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of 2 million refugees.

On Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists would pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with Syria, and security forces from Turkey and Russia would mount joint patrols there.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is its Syrian offshoot.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut