Syrian Arab and Turkmen tribes hail Turkish operation

By Muslum Etgu

SANLIURFA, Turkey

Syrian Turkmen and Arab Tribal Association said Thursday it expected an immediate Turkish intervention east of the Euphrates River to ensure Syrians' return to their homeland.
In a statement, the association praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plan to launch an operation to clear YPG/PKK terrorists from the region.

"Terror group PKK, which has separated people from their homeland, forcefully recruited children, planted weed [marijuana] on our soils, has committed countless violations and continues [such policies]. We request urgent intervention by Turkey to ensure our return to our own lands and clear the region of the paid terrorists of Abdullah Ocalan, the ringleader," the statement added.

"Turkey was successful in the previous operations, we believe that this operation will prove successful as well. We appreciate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's sensitivity towards the subject of terrorism. As Syrians, we have always stood by Turkey and will stand by [Turkey] in this operation too. We believe that the Turkish army will clear our lands of the terror group YPG/PKK and we will go back to our houses," it concluded.
Erdogan on Wednesday said Turkey was to launch an operation east of the Euphrates "within a matter of days to save it from a separatist terrorist organization", referring to the terrorist YPG/PKK.
A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.

*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this story from Ankara.