Turkey has launched a military campaign in Afrin to eliminate the PKK, PYD, YPG and Daesh terrorist organizations from the region
Afrin is at the heart of Turkish diplomatic and military rhetoric. Since the start of the Syrian civil war, terrorist groups dominated the region.
The question is why Turkey gives so much importance to Afrin?
Afrin is a very strategic town located on the western edge of the region covered by operation euphrates shield which the Turkish Armed Forces carried out with the Free Syrian Army.
Turkey's aim is also to save civilians in the region from the terrorists' oppression and cruelty.
The PYD/PKK terrorist organization has become a major threat to Turkey by occupying the majority of the adjacent Syrian region border.
Terrorists present in Afrin -- along the border -- also pose a threat to Turkey's cities, as well as areas liberated by the recent operation euphrates shield and the Idlib de-escalation zone.
It also has the potential to be a stepping stone for the terrorist group to reach the Mediterranean with the support of the U.S.
Ahead of euphrates shield, in early 2016 Afrin was used by PYD/ PKK to expand its presence in the area with the help of Russia and the Syrian regime.
The terrorist elements, spreading out of Afrin, occupied the Tel Rifat district and its surroundings, controlled by its opponents and Arabs.
In june 2015, the group attempted an ethnic cleansing of Tel-Abyad, a district with a large Arab and Turkmen population.
In recent months, it was from Afrin mountains that terrorists opened fire with heavy weapons killing scores of civilians.
Afrin was also used by PYD to attack Turkish troops in Idlib, western Afrin, since Turkish army started reconnaissance for the observation points.
Clearing Afrin from terrorists, would enable civilians who fled Tel Rifat and adjacent areas to return to their homes.
During the PYD/PKK's occupation of Tel Rifat, 50,000 Arabs fled to Azez.
Afrin operation is also very important to abort the U.S. intention of establishing a terrorist army at its border.
