Syrians in Turkey returning to Afrin: Officials

HATAY – Anadolu Agency

At least 9,880 Syrians in Turkey have returned to their country through the Cilvegözü border gate in Turkey’s southern Hatay province in the last three-and-a-half months, Turkish officials have said.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Syrians living in different provinces of Turkey were coming to Hatay’s Reyhanlı district and crossing back to their country from the border gate.

Syrians are said to be returning to areas that were cleared of People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants during Turkey’s “Operation Olive Branch.”

There are approximately 3.5 million Syrians in Turkey who have fled the civil war in their country.

Turkey on Jan. 20 launched “Operation Olive Branch” to remove YPG militants from Afrin. On March 18, Turkish troops and the Free Syrian Army captured the Afrin district center.