Click to see full-size image. Source: https://t.me/AbomosaabSharkea
Turkey is still reportedly working to expel al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the northern Syrian area of Afrin.
On October 30, Syrian opposition activists shared photos of fortifications which were recently built by the Turkish military to separate Afrin from the neighboring region of Greater Idlib, the main stronghold of HTS. The fortifications were reportedly built on key roads near the villages of jelma and Tell Slow in the southern part of Afrin.
Click to see full-size image. Source: https://t.me/AbomosaabSharkea
Click to see full-size image. Source: https://t.me/AbomosaabSharkea
HTS entered Afrin on October 11 under the pretext of supporting its Turkish-backed allies, the al-Hamzah Division and the Suleyman Shah Division, against the 3rd Corps, which is also backed by Turkey. On October 15, an agreement with the 3rd Corps solidified HTS control over the Kurdish-majority area.
The group withdrew some of its militants from Afrin on October 18 following a series of protest in nearby Turkish-occupied areas. However, its terrorists are reportedly still deployed in several positions and checkpoint in different parts of the area, including the city center.
HTS terrorists have already committed a series of human rights violations in Afrin, from arresting and torturing people, to attempting to impose their radical laws. The terrorists forced women in some areas to wear Niqab and went as far as separating men from women in public spaces.
Turkey began working to expel HTS after facing criticism from both Russia and the United States. The Turkish military is currently building positions along the frontline with Greater Idlib to solidify its control over Afrin.
In a recent statement to The Middle East Eye, a Turkish official said that HTS has already pulled out the majority of its forces from Afrin. The unnamed official stressed that Ankara will not leave the area, which was occupied by its forces in 2018, to the terrorist group.
The Syrian opposition, including Kurdish parties, have already warned against allowing HTS to expand its influence into Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria. Ankara appears to be finally taking some steps to address this threat.
Building walls is not “working to expel”. Or if it is, it’s a rather strange way of doing it… You’d think they would just shoot at them to make them leave, but why would they when those are their allies.
“Expel”? ITS puppets? Expel UNHUMAN GENOCIDALS FROM SURIYA SND ALL INHUMAN-OCCUPIED LANDS!