11 June 2018•Update: 11 June 2018
By Feride Pelin Inal
GAZIANTEP, Turkey
Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul said on Monday Syrian refugees in Turkey want to return home country as the Turkish army provided security with anti-terror operations in northern Syria.
"As Syria becomes more safe with [Turkey’s military] operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch, our guests want to go back to their homeland," Gul told Anadolu Agency during an interview.
He said Turkey has sacrificed a lot for its neighbors.
"They thank Turkey and return to their homeland," he said.
Nearly 39,000 Syrians have returned to their homes, especially in Azaz, Afrin, Jarabulus, and al-Bab, which were secured by Turkey’s military operations -- Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch, according to an official at the migration office in Turkey.
A total of 76,000 Syrians had applied online to Turkish authorities to spend their eid holiday in Syria, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.
Muslims across the world will soon celebrate Eid al Fitr, a three-day festival that follows the fasting month of Ramadan.
Syrians will return to Turkey from June 26 to July 6.
Operation Euphrates Shield, which began in August 2016 and ended in March 2017, was aimed at eliminating the terrorist threat along the Turkish border with the use of the Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish artillery and air cover.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from northwestern Syria's Afrin region.
On March 18, day 58 of the operation, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin while also neutralizing 4,497 terrorists.
Turkey, the largest host country of Syrian refugees, has been praised by the international community for providing top care and protection to more than 3 million refugees.
Along with shelter, food, and educational support, Turkey offers psychological and social support to the refugees.
