Afrin Administration: ‘We Expect Syria to Protect Afrin and Its Borders from Turkey’

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Afrin Democratic Autonomous Government has issued a statement concerning the “Operation Olive Branch” launched by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and Free Syrian Army (FSA) launched into Afrin on January 20.

According to a report by Mezopotamya Agency, stating that Afrin is one of indivisible regions of Syria, Afrin Democratic Autonomous Government declared that they expect Syria to protect Afrin and its borders from Turkey.

“Threat against civilians and territorial integrity”

In the statement it was said that the People’s Protection Units (YPG) have been fighting in the region for six years to prevent groups such as Al Qaida and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from dominating in the region, and to help Syria protect its territorial integrity and national institutions.

Concerning the operation, it was said that “This is a serious threat against Syria’s territorial integrity and civilians’ right to live”.

“We expect Syrian government to fulfil its responsibilities and protect Afrin and its border from Turkey. The Syrian administration has to deploy its armed forces in the region and fulfil its responsibilities”.

Deputy FM of Syria had described the operation as an “attack against our sovereignty”

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria Faisal Mekdad had answered the questions of BBC correspondent Lyse Doucet.

Concerning Turkey’s offensive into Afrin, Mekdad said, “Turkey’s invasion is an open violation of Syria’s sovereignty. It is an attack against sovereignty of Syria”.

“It is a Turkish aggression against the sovereignty of Syria, and Syria has every right to answer to such an aggression.

“Syria has the right to defend itself. We shall all possible means to answer the attacks of Turkish regime”. (BK/TK)