Afrin civilians hide in basements to survive

Seven families -- who were prevented to leave Syria's Afrin town center by YPG/PKK terrorists -- hid in the basement of their building for a month to survive.

Heysem Alo, a 38-year-old man, who is one of the 35 people who survived by enclosing themselves in the basement, spoke to Anadolu Agency and told stories of what they have endured during those days.

"We were very much scared of them [YPG/PKK terrorists] because we know what they could do," Alo said.

The Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army fighters took control of the Afrin town center early on Sunday as part of Operation Olive Branch, which was launched on Jan. 20 to clear the area of YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists.

"We moved our beds and supplies here [to the basement]. We were sleeping here. […] We had a patient but we couldn't take him to the hospital.

"Our children were scared so much. They still do not want to go out," he added.

Alo praised Turkish soldiers and Free Syrian Army (FSA) saying: "Thank God, Turkey and Free Syrian Army came in and liberated our town from terrorists."

"I hope we will have better days from now on. Hopefully, the whole country will regain peace," he added.

'HOPE FOR PEOPLE'

Another survivor Ranya Mohammed (42) also recalled the hard times which he had lived for a month.

"It is impossible to tell what we had lived through. There were many children [in the same place]," Mohammed said, adding: "The only thing that we did is pray."

"Turkish soldiers came in and became a hope for people," he said, adding: "I hope they [terrorists] will not return again."

Sena Alo, a 11-year-old girl, also expressed her happiness saying she was out for the first time in a long time and she missed to play in the street.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming any civilians.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the YPG/PKK since July 2012, when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without a fight.