Ahmad Osman, commander of the Free Syrian Army (FSA)
Ahmad Osman, commander of the Free Syrian Army (FSA)-affiliated Sultan Murat Brigade, said Friday that the YPG/PKK terrorist group was operating in eastern Syria on the pretext of fighting Daesh militants who, he asserted, were not actually in the area.
He went on to say that the FSA was “ready to conduct operations” in Syria’s northeastern Tal Abyad, Raqqah and Al-Hasakah regions.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Osman commented on Iran's role in Syria, the strategies of the Assad regime, and the ongoing YPG/PKK presence in areas east of the Euphrates River.
Stating that Iran-backed foreign terrorist groups were changing Syria’s demographic composition, he said: “They have changed street signs in the capital. The Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque has been turned into their headquarters. Shia militias have even bought homes in Damascus.”
At least 34 PKK/KCK terror suspects have been arrested in an anti-terror operation in eastern Turkey, the governor's office announced on Thursday.Seven out of 26 suspected members of the PKK/KCK terror group were arrested on Thursday in the eastern Muş province, the provincial governor’s office said in a statement.Nineteen other suspects were arrested in raids carried out on Monday and Tuesday in Mus.Arms, organizational documents, and ammunition were also seized in the raids.Separately, a PKK terrorist were arrested in Yenice in the southeastern Diyarbakir province during a joint operation carried out by the police and gendarmerie forces.In a Van-based operation carried out across four provinces, seven suspects were arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the PKK/KCK terror group, the provincial gendarmerie said in a statement.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 nearly 40,000 people.Turkey: Terror-hit mosque to be reopened in 2019Turkey to purchase Russian S-400s with local currency, says Erdoğan
Over 30 arrested for suspected PKK/KCK links in Turkey
The FSA commander also stated that there were similar problems in Syria’s eastern Deir ez-Zor province.
“We are aware that Iran has occupied Syria. Iran has taken over the country’s education and construction sectors,” he said.
According to Osman, the Assad regime has ignored Iran's activities while likening Turkish forces in the region to “invaders”.
“The Turks have repeatedly said they don’t have any territorial ambitions in Syria; that their sole objective is to safeguard their national security,” Osman said, pointing out that the PKK terrorist group “still maintains a presence near the Syria-Turkey border”.
He also said that the FSA was “ready” to take part in operations east of the Euphrates.
“Preparations are already underway; we have many well-trained fighters,” he said.
“The only problem is the U.S. troop presence in the region,” he added. “I'm hoping the U.S. withdraws and the Turkish army -- backed by the FSA -- expels the PKK from areas east of the river, where it is pretending to be fighting Daesh.”
A wanted PKK terrorist with a large bounty on his head was "neutralized" in eastern Turkey, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorist in question either surrendered of was killed or captured.Terrorist Ali Akbas, codenamed Zinar Amed, was killed in operations carried out by counterterrorism and special operations units of the local police in the eastern Mus province on Tuesday, said the ministry in a statement.Ali Akbas was on the ministry’s wanted terrorists list with a bounty of 300,000 Turkish liras (around $57,000) on his head, the statement said.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the U.S. and the EU. In its terror campaign against Turkey, which lasted for more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.'Turkey will not allow fait accompli in Syria'Trump to meet Erdoğan at G20 summit in Argentina
Turkey neutralizes PKK terrorist on wanted list
“In reality, there is no Daesh presence in Raqqah, Al-Hasakah and Tal Abyad; therefore, we can carry out operations there,” Osman said. “But the U.S. wants to remain in this area, meaning that U.S. support for the PKK is hindering operations east of the Euphrates.”
“Fortunately, we cleared one end of the border [of terrorists] following the [Turkey-led] Operation Olive Branch. Now, there are civilian administrations operating effectively in these areas,” he added, referring in particular to Syria’s Afrin region.
Osman also hailed ongoing Turkish support for the region’s civilian population.
“Turkish NGOs remain very active in the area and have provided aid for numerous development projects,” he said. “The Iranians, by contrast, are operating in accordance with their own agenda and religious beliefs.”
He added: “The Turkish presence and the Iranian presence in Syria are completely different in nature.”
“If Syrian citizens can’t prove ownership of their property within a year, it will be confiscated by the regime,” Osman continued. “And the regime will then use this as an excuse to sell the property to Iranian buyers.”
According to Osman, the Assad regime never sought a political solution to the country’s seven-year conflict.
“The regime's only goal is to reestablish control of the country through a military solution,” he said.
“Damascus doesn't care about Astana, Geneva or any other talks,” he added. “Regime officials only attend these meetings as a result of Russian pressure. The regime doesn't want negotiations, which would mean granting the people their rights.”
A Turkish mosque damaged by PKK terror attacks in the southeastern Diyarbakır province will reopen for worship next year.Many of the historic sites in the province were severely damaged during attacks by PKK terror group.The renovation of Fatih Pasha, the first Ottoman mosque in Diyarbakir, will be completed by the end of this year.The mosque also known as Kursunlu (Lead-Domed Mosque) was constructed by an Ottoman governor, Biyikli Mehmet Pasha, in 1516."This beautiful work of art will be as close to the original as possible," Abdullah Ciftci, Sur Governor, told Anadolu Agency.In late 2015, Turkish security forces completely cleared PKK terrorists from Sur district of the province where approximately 4,500 families had to leave their homes due to terror attacks.A total of 494 shops and offices have been rebuilt and the construction of nearly 50 traditional Diyarbakir houses is also currently underway.Over 40,000 people have been killed in more than 30 years of PKK attacks. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU.
Turkey: Terror-hit mosque to be reopened in 2019