January 25, 2018•Update: January 25, 2018
By Zuhal Demirci and Esra Cetin
ANKARA
Syrian refugees living in Ankara hoped Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in northwestern Afrin region of Syria would bring peace to the region.
Mohamad Abdullah, who came to Turkey from Syria's Aleppo two years ago, told Anadolu Agency that Turkey wanted to protect Syrian people from terror groups in the region.
On Saturday, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.
"The U.S. is financing the terrorist organizations there [PYD/PKK] and they are trying to change the demographic structure of Syria," said Abdullah.
Abdullah voiced support for the operation carried out with Free Syrian Army (FSA) and said: "Arabs should support Turkey and FSA on this issue. I wish stability for Syria."
Ali al-Bakar, who has been in Turkey for three and half years, said refugees in Turkey supported Turkish government and its steps and that many Syrians thought this way.
Bakar said Turkey aimed to bring peace to the region with the Operation Olive Branch.
He lamented that there are some divisions among the Syrian people. "We want one Syria. Arab, Kurd or Alawite does not differ," Bakar stressed.
PKK does not represent Kurds
Saleh Abdulhayt, another Syrian refugee in Ankara, said he hoped Turkey will clear the region from terror groups by the end of the operation.
"With the operation, hopefully, no terror group will remain in the region. I also do not think that PKK represents or protects Kurds," he added.
Tawfik Shattur, another Syrian who works as a barber, stressed the unity of Syria, said Turkey and FSA were making efforts for the “well-being” of Syrian people and unity of Syria.
"PKK does not think about Kurds' future. Turkish government should clear terrorists from this region. Therefore, I think operation in Afrin is necessary," Shattur added.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect the Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.
The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council’s decisions, self-defense rights under the UN charter and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.
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 putting up a fight.
