Residents return as Syria’s Tel Rifaat freed from PKK/YPG after 8 years

Displaced residents have continued their return to the key Syrian district of Tel Rifaat on Dec. 3, as Syrian opposition forces reclaimed the town after eight years of PKK/YPG terrorist control.

Last week, as a result of clashes between opposition forces and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's troops, the regime forces withdrew from multiple areas, including Tel Rifaat, leaving them to be occupied by PKK/YPG terrorists.

In response, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) launched Operation Dawn of Freedom to reclaim these territories from the terrorist group.

Within a mere three hours, the opposition forces completely secured Tel Rifaat, a district situated just 18 kilometers from the Turkish border. The SNA infiltrated the town center in a nocturnal operation that involved taking control of four strategic locations.

With the town center liberated from terrorist control, thousands of Syrians displaced to regions like Azaz, Marea and Afrin began returning to their homes in the district.

The SNA is taking measures to ensure the safe return of civilians by addressing the presence of tunnels and traps in the central part of the region.

"Is there anything better than returning to one's home and land? Thank God we are back after 10 years," resident Ahmet Said told Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency.

Cemal Kapso, who had been displaced from Tel Rifaat nine years ago, said: "We were told many times before, 'You will return to your homes.' Thank God, the PKK was expelled from the district and we returned to our homes."

The operations are expected to continue due to the presence of numerous tunnels and heavily mined areas.

The terrorists, forced to retreat from the center, fled to Fafin on the southern edge...