Turkish and Syrian children build friends through football in Hatay.
A new program is aiming to use sports to build bridges between Syrian and Turkish children in the southern Hatay province.
The Hatay-based Syrian Agency for Rescue (SAR) with the support of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) launched "Promote dialogue and social adaptation through football" project.
Within the framework of the project, 140 boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 17 were brought together in the field. Half of them are Syrian refugees in Turkey.
The Syrian military opposition has vowed support for a planned Turkish military operation against the YPG/PKK terrorist group east of the Euphrates River.Spokesman Ayman al-Asimi said the Syrian opposition was ready to fight against YPG/PKK terrorists who occupy regions east of the Euphrates."The [planned Turkish] military operation east of the Euphrates is a continuation of the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch Operations, which brought safety and stability to the Syrian people,” he said in a statement on social media.“It is an operation that will maintain the integrity of Syria," he stressed.Al-Asimi said the YPG/PKK terrorist group was a “source of international terrorist threat” that blocked efforts to reach a political solution to the conflict in Syria.He went on to call on the international community to take side with the Syrian opposition and Turkey against the terrorist group.On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that within days Turkey would launch an operation in Syria, east of the Euphrates, near Turkey’s borders, to clear the region of YPG/PKK terrorists.That operation would follow two successful Turkish operations since 2016 to foil the formation of a “terror corridor” along Turkey’s border.In a message to the Syrian Free Army and National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SMDK), U.S. officials have warned the Syrian opposition against backing the Turkish operation."Any participation by the Syrian National Coalition or the Free Syrian Army in any way is an attack on the United States and the Coalition Forces, and it will lead to direct confrontation with Coalition Forces and the United States of America. That will fully destroy the relations between the United States and the Syrian National Coalition and the Free Army," read the message."When elephants dance, you must stay away from the dance floor," the U.S. officials said.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.
Syrian opposition vows support for Turkish op east of Euphrates
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday reiterated Turkey's firm stance against Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorism in Syria.Erdoğan, speaking at an inauguration ceremony of the July 15 National Park in Esenler district of Istanbul, said Turkey is burying terrorists inside the trenches that they dig and will continue to do so in the future.Turkey will soon launch an operation in the east of the Euphrates to liberate the region from the PKK terrorist organization, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday.A 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.Turkish army ‘neutralizes’ 10 PKK terrorists in N IraqTurkey hopes to completely wipe out PKK terror group, says DefMinDuring his speech, Erdogan also warned opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu against inviting people to hold demonstrations similar to 2013 Gezi Park protests.“Mr. Kemal, you cannot make anybody to take to the streets. Let me tell you something: Here is neither Paris nor the Netherlands,” he said.In the summer of 2013, a relatively small demonstration in Istanbul’s Gezi Park grew into a nationwide wave of protests against the government that left eight protesters and a police officer dead.Since Nov. 17, thousands of protesters wearing bright yellow vests -- dubbed the Yellow Vests -- have been gathering in major French cities, including the capital Paris, to protest Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and the deteriorating economic situation.During demonstrations, at least four people have been killed and more than a thousand others wounded.Also in the Netherlands, Yellow Vest protesters took on Saturday to the streets in 16 cities, including the capital Amsterdam, the Hague and Rotterdam, upon calls made on social media by far-right groups.They protested against the government's policies on retirement age, costly health and education services and migration issue.
PKK/PYD terrorists in Syria will be buried in trenches they dig: Erdoğan
Coaches train the teams which play football thrice a week.
Mohammad Kindawi, the head of SAR, told Anadolu Agency that the project aims to improve communication between Turkish and Syrian children through football.
Kindawi said they want Syrian children to adapt into Turkish culture.
"We are building a bridge of friendship between Turkish and Syrian children through sports," Kindawi said.
"At the same time, sports keeps children away from bad habits," Kindawi said, adding that the project will last three months.
Both Turkish and Syrian children expressed their happiness at being able to play games and form lasting friendships in the scope of the project.
The U.S. administration has warned the Syrian opposition against supporting Turkey’s planned military operation in Syria, east of the Euphrates River, near Turkish borders.As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday announced that an operation to clear the region, located east of the Euphrates, of the YPG/PKK terrorists will start "in a few days", the U.S. Administration started a campaign to obstruct the operation.The American intelligence and diplomatic officials began threatening the Syrian opposition, with the U.S. President Donald Trump and American ministers and military officials conveying their "concerns" in phone calls to their Turkish counterparts in Ankara.Syrian opposition backs Turkey’s planned operationYPG/PKK terrorists continue to pose threat to TurkeyIn a message to the Free Syrian Army and National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SMDK), the U.S. officials called on them to not support the planned Turkish operation."Any participation by the Syrian National Coalition or the Free Syrian Army in any way is an attack on the United States and the Coalition Forces, and it will lead to direct confrontation with Coalition Forces and the United States of America. That will fully destroy the relations between the United States and the Syrian National Coalition and the Free Army," the message read.Turkey’s planned operation gives hope to SyriansTurkish FM meets Crimean Tatar leader, UN special envoyThe message further read: "US forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) [that is, YPG/PKK] are intertwined so that Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) cannot be attacked without aggression and confrontation with Coalition Forces and US forces and advisers.""When elephants dance, you must stay away from the dance floor," the U.S. officials warned.Previously, Turkey launched two successful anti-terror operations since 2016 to foil the formation of a “terror corridor” along Turkey’s border.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.‘PKK terrorists to suffer far greater defeat than one in Afrin’Turkey to continue anti-terror ops. in N Iraq’s Sinjar
US warns Syrian opposition against backing Turkish op
The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SMDK) has voiced support for Turkey’s planned military operation in Syria, east of the Euphrates River, near Turkish borders.In a statement, Abdurrahman Mustafa, head of the coalition, said the Syrian people continue to suffer at the hands of the Bashar al-Assad regime forces, as well as Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah and the PYD.YPG/PKK terrorists continue to pose threat to TurkeyTurkey’s planned operation gives hope to SyriansAny military operation to eliminate these terror groups "will be welcomed and supported by us," Mustafa said, adding: "We are working with our Turkish ally to liberate all cities and towns from the control of terrorist forces."He also stressed that all the Free Syrian Army members stand ready to cooperate and join in the upcoming military operation."We share this view with the Turkish Republic the separatist projects and terror constitute a direct threat to Turkey’s national security as well as to Syria’s territorial integrity and unity," he added.On Wednesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that within days Turkey would launch an operation east of the Euphrates to clear the region of PKK/YPG terrorists.Previously, Turkey launched two successful anti-terror operations since 2016 to foil the formation of a “terror corridor” along Turkey’s border.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.
Syrian opposition backs Turkey’s planned operation