Ekip
February 18, 2018•Update: February 19, 2018
By Volkan Kasik
MALATYA, Turkey
A Syrian refuge in Turkey said they were exposed to violence by both the Assad regime and PYD/PKK terrorists.
“I witnessed PYD/PKK force children to join their terrorist groups and give them military trainings,” Mevlud Mustafa said. “We wish the terror ends as soon as possible. Our only wish from Allah is to be freed from their atrocities. Hopefully Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army will save us from this atrocity.”
The PYD/PKK even forces the locals to attend their weddings and trouble those who fail to do so, he added.
Supporting the ongoing operation led by Turkey in northwestern Syria, he said: “We wish to cleanse our land of the terrorists, to return to our land, our home. We hope this will come true soon.”
He said the Arabs are persecuted by the Assad regime, while the Kurdish people face oppression by PYG/PKK and YPG.
Mustafa left Humus city in Syria with his family four years ago. In southeastern Malatya province, where he currently lives, he teaches for a living.
"We are grateful to Turkey for their help."
He added the PYD/PKK was spreading propaganda against the ongoing operation on social media.
Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.
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 has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming any civilians.
Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012, when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without a fight.
* Dilan Pamuk contributed to this story in Ankara
