500 Syrians in Turkey’s Şanlıurfa apply to draft office to take part in Afrin op

ŞANLIURFA – Doğan News Agency

Some 500 Syrian youths in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa have submitted applications to the draft office in order to voluntarily join the Turkish military to take part in the ongoing operation into Syria’s Afrin district.

The group, holding Turkish flags and shouting slogans in both Turkish and Arabic, gathered in front of the recruiting office in the Esentepe neighborhood on Jan. 23, demanding to be recruited for “Operation Olive Branch.”

“Turkey has looked after us. Now we want to stand by the Turkish soldiers in order to repay our debt. We are here to submit our petition to voluntarily join the operation in Afrin against terror organizations,” said one young volunteer.

The group reportedly dispersed after submitting their applications to officials at the draft office.