Turkish female troops provide backup in Afrin operation

By Soner Kilinc

AFRIN, Syria

Female personnel of the Turkish Armed Forces deployed on the border are actively participating in the country’s ongoing counter-terrorism operation in Syria’s northwestern region.

As the Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) continue to advance toward Afrin’s city center, the female personnel are providing back-up support by operating Firtina (storm) Howitzers along the Turkey-Syria border line.

The female military officers, some of whom previously participated in the Operation Euphrates Shield, have taken the leading position of the units stationed on the border.

Dilek Aygun, an artillery captain, is one of the officers who are taking part in the operation against the YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorist organizations.

She has been carrying out her duty at the artillery battery deployed on the border to support the advance of the commandos and armored units participating in the Operation Olive Branch.

Aygun said that the Storm howitzers have a very important role in the operation.

Stating the howitzers can destroy targets at a distance of about 40 kilometers with a point shot, Aygun said: “The Firtina Howitzers have been providing a huge fire support in the battle field with their mobility power and healthy shooting capacity.”

The shooting control systems of the howitzers are completely computer-generated, she said, and added they can function in all weather conditions.

“This increases the operational capabilities of the units as well as the strength of back-up support... It is very important for me to take part in the operation," he added.

Devotion

First Lt. Ceren Ozcelik, an officer responsible for the maintenance of the howitzers, recalled the frontrunner civilian women of Turkish Independence War.

“We are the grandchildren of Kara Fatma and Nene Hatun. We have inherited the devotion for our country from them. Carrying out this job and being a part of this operation is pride for me,” Ozcelik added.

First Lt. Cigdem Yuksel, another female military officer, is responsible for distribution of ammunition and material.

Yuksel described how meticulously and decisively female officers are carrying out their duties. “It’s proud to do this job. We are fulfilling the orders as quick as possible.”

First Lieutenant Gulru Gizem Atabey, the commander of the maintenance unit, said she is responsible for the maintenance of the military vehicles used in the operation.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-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 to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.

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.

Both the military and Turkish authorities have repeatedly said that the operation targets only terrorist elements and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming any civilians.