Afrin offensive (January–March 2018)

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Afrin Offensive (January–March 2018)

The Afrin Offensive, officially known as Operation Olive Branch (Turkish: Zeytin Dalı Harekâtı ), was a military operation conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the Syrian National Army (SNA) against the Kurdish-dominated Democratic Union Party in Syria (PYD), its armed wing People's Protection Units (YPG), and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) positions surrounding the Afrin District of Aleppo Governorate. The operation began on 20 January 2018 and was part of a broader Turkish policy aimed at clearing its border regions of Kurdish militias, which Ankara considers to be terrorist organizations affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Background

The Afrin District, located in the northwest of Syria, has been a strategic point due to its proximity to the Turkish border. Before the offensive, Afrin was under the control of the YPG, which Turkey regards as the Syrian branch of the PKK, a designated terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. The presence of YPG in Afrin was perceived by Turkey as a direct threat to its national security, prompting the launch of the operation.

Operation Olive Branch

The offensive commenced on 20 January 2018, with the TAF and SNA conducting air strikes and artillery bombardments against YPG positions in Afrin. The ground phase of the operation began the following day. Turkish forces and their allies aimed to create a 30-kilometer deep "safe zone" along the Syrian-Turkish border. Throughout the operation, the TAF and SNA faced stiff resistance from YPG fighters, but they gradually made significant advances.

International Reactions

The Afrin Offensive elicited a mixed international response. The United States, which had allied with the YPG in the fight against ISIL, called for restraint but did not condemn the operation outright, highlighting the complex dynamics between the U.S., Turkey, and Kurdish forces in Syria. Russia, which had military presence in the region, expressed concern over the escalation but was seen as giving tacit approval to the operation after withdrawing its troops from Afrin prior to the offensive. The Syrian government condemned the Turkish military operation as an infringement of Syria's sovereignty.

Humanitarian Impact and Displacement

The offensive led to significant humanitarian concerns, including the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians from the Afrin region. Reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure emerged, raising alarms among international human rights organizations.

Outcome

The Afrin Offensive concluded on 24 March 2018, with Turkish and allied forces capturing the city of Afrin. The operation significantly altered the military and political landscape in northern Syria, expanding Turkish influence in the region and diminishing the territorial control of Kurdish forces. However, it also exacerbated tensions between Turkey and various parties involved in the Syrian conflict, including the Syrian government and Kurdish groups.

See Also

• Turkish military intervention in Syria
• Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present)
• Syrian Civil War