Turkey will soon besiege Afrin: Erdogan

The Turkish military will soon lay siege to the Syrian Kurdish town of Afrin as a new phase of “Operation Olive Branch” begins, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed.

His remarks come amid speculations that Syrian forces would take over the city from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) as the result of an agreement between the two groups.

“Preparations in the field take some time. In the coming days, we will lay siege to Afrin city. It’s very important that everywhere we go should remain secure,” Erdogan told his lawmakers at parliament.

According to Hurriyet daily Erdogan’s claim comes as the operation enters its 32nd day. Turkey’s operation is advancing slowly because of the army’s sensitivity regarding avoiding civilian casualties, he said.

“Thanks to the siege, the YPG will have no room for bargaining with the Syrian regime,” he stressed, referring to news reports that the YPG would leave Afrin to Damascus.

The siege would also result in cutting all assistance provided to the YPG in Afrin, Erdogan added.

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