Turkey-backed Forces Take Control of Syrian City of Afrin

Reports indicate that the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army entered the city of Afrin in northwestern Syria on Sunday morning, March 18. The Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported, citing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, that the Free Syrian Army has completely taken control of the city center. Erdoğan stated that 'a large number' of Kurdish militants 'tucked their tails between their legs and fled.' He added that Turkish special forces have also entered the city. The Turkish army released a video on Twitter showing a soldier raising the Turkish flag over a building's balcony. The report adds that the operation to enter and take control of the city was completed in half an hour and faced little resistance, although several mines planted along the route exploded. Reuters also reported, citing a spokesperson for the Free Syrian Army, that the group's forces entered Afrin on Sunday morning without any resistance from Kurdish forces, who have all retreated from the city. Meanwhile, Turkish state television TRT reported breaking news of Afrin's fall. The French news agency reported that the Turkish army, along with their supported Syrian forces, has entered Afrin, which is predominantly populated by Kurds. However, this news agency, referencing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in London, reported that Turkish and Free Syrian Army forces have taken control of parts of the city, but fighting continues in the city center. According to this report, Turkish-backed forces claim to have entered the city from the east and west after breaking the resistance of Kurdish forces. A resident of Afrin told the news agency that civilians have taken refuge in the basements of their homes and gunfire can be heard outside. Turkish forces began Operation Olive Branch against the Kurdish militia group People's Protection Units (YPG) in the Afrin region on December 11. Ankara considers this group an ally of the PKK and a terrorist organization. However, at the same time, the YPG is involved in fighting ISIS in another part of Syria with U.S. assistance. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that since the start of Operation Olive Branch, 280 civilians have been killed, but Turkey denies this report, stating it is making every effort to prevent civilian casualties. So far, 200,000 residents have fled Afrin.