Afrin church, monastery 'in good shape': FSA commander

By Omer Koparan and Ayse Dogru

AFRIN, Syria/ANKARA

A historic church and monastery in northwestern Syria's Afrin region under the protection of the Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) remain in good shape, according to a FSA commander.

According to pictures taken by Anadolu Agency on Friday, the Julianus Church and Brad Monastery in the village of Brad, 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from Afrin center, is in good shape unlike what the Syria’s official SANA news agency is portraying.

FSA Commander Abu Abdul told Anadolu Agency the Bashar al-Assad regime was making malicious propaganda about Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin.

Turkey launched the operation on Jan. 20 to clear terrorist groups from Afrin amid growing threats from the region.

On March 18, Turkish-backed troops liberated the town center of Afrin, which had been a major hideout for the terrorist YPG/PKK since 2012.

"The Assad regime alleged that we destroyed historic buildings. They spread such reports only to create trouble," Abdul said, adding that all such buildings of historical importance were in good condition as seen in the photographs.

He rejected all claims about the FSA members or Turkish troops damaging historical sites.

"We protect historical artifacts. We started the revolution not to vandalize but for freedom and our country's stability."

Turkey on Saturday denied Lebanese media reports claiming Turkish warplanes had bombed the archaeological site of Brad near Afrin.

“No airstrike targeting the Brad [ancient] site, Julianus Church and Brad monastery has been carried out by Turkish Armed Forces so far,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy had said.

Dating from the fourth century, Brad ancient site and nearby historical artifacts have been in the world heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization since 2011.