'We demonstrated Turkey's power on Syrian territory'

GAZIANTEP, Turkey

The Gaziantep governor and mayor briefed Anadolu Agency editors on Turkey's active role in improving living standards of Syrians inside and outside war-torn Syria.

Anadolu Agency foreign languages and international news editors paid a visit in Turkey’s southeastern province of Gaziantep this week.

Governor Ali Yerlikaya and Gaziantep mayor Fatma Sahin informed the editors about the situation in the Turkish city, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Syrians.

Yerlikaya said that the population of Jarabulus increased as the city and the region became the “meeting point” of those who fled terrorist organizations and the Assad regime.

"Jarabulus became a rising city. We repaired a large number of schools in the region. In Al-Bab alone, 50,000 students are studying and at least the same number of students receive education in Jarabulus," he added.

Yerlikaya said Turkish people along with its government have not only received 3.5 million refugees but also helped in various areas such as repairing schools inside Syria, providing salaries to teachers and supporting the establishment of the security organization.

Noting the importance of Anadolu Agency in the Turkish and world media landscape, Yerlikaya thanked the agency’s personnel who “fullfil an important homeland duty”.

'We demonstrated Turkey's power on Syrian territory'

Fatma Sahin said that the people of Gaziantep -- without having to downgrade their living standards -- received their Syrian guests in a hospitable manner.

She said that the municipality ensured that education was available for refugees and and that their adaptation to social life was successful.

Sahin added that after Operation Euphrates Shield, especially in Jarabulus, the region began to develop quickly.

Sahin said that within 15 days, in a region such as Jarabulus, 70 garbage trucks were provided, running water and electricity were restored, living spaces for children were established, and citizens could move freely once again.

“Turkey demonstrated its power on Syrian territory,” said Sahin, referring to these endeavours.

Additionally Sahin said that it was important that Anadolu Agency reporters visit Syria to report from the ground.

Operation Euphrates Shield was conducted from August 2016 to late March 2017 to improve security, support coalition forces and eliminate terror threats along the Turkish border.

On Monday, the agency’s editors from across the world met in Ankara as part of its Annual Editors Meeting.

Approaching its 100th anniversary in 2020, Anadolu Agency -- the source for trusted news -- offers news, photos and videos on Turkey, the world, the economy, sports, health and technology.

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Reporting by Kerem Kocalar:Writing by Meryem Goktas