By Omer Koparan, Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu, and Zeynep Katre Oran
MANBIJ, Syria (AA) - A tunnel dug by the PKK/YPG terror group has been discovered under a school in the Manbij district, which was recently liberated by opposition Syrian National Army (SNA) forces as part of Operation Dawn of Freedom.
SNA forces, who cleared the district of terrorism as part of an operation against the PKK/YPG, are continuing search and clearance activities in the area.
The 1-kilometer-long tunnel was found during an investigation at the Buhtari school, which was previously used as military headquarters by the terrorists. The investigation also uncovered remnants of items left behind by the terrorists.
Musab Omer, an SNA soldier involved in the search, told Anadolu that explosives were found inside the tunnel. He emphasized that the tunnel was located directly beneath the school.
"The terrorist organization, which restricts people's freedom, tries to conduct terror activities by using schools, hospitals, and civilians as shields," said Omer.
Operation Dawn of Freedom, launched Dec. 1, had already succeeded in liberating the center of Tel Rifaat from the PKK/YPG. With the liberation of Manbij, the region that had become the largest terrorist nest west of the Euphrates River, was cleared of the PKK/YPG.
- Civilian areas used for terrorist activities
The PKK/YPG digs tunnels in areas it occupies in Syria, particularly near the border, for purposes such as hiding, infiltration and surprise attacks. The tunnels are also used to transport materials and provide hiding spots between regions.
The terror group previously dug tunnels and trenches in Afrin, Tel Rifaat, Ayn al-Arab, Tel Abyad, Ras al-Ayn, Sirrin, Qamishli, Hasakah and Malikiya.
Terrorists, who use civilians as human shields, often dig tunnels that lead to homes, schools, hospitals and places of worship in the regions they occupy.
Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for 24 years, fled to Russia on Sunday after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus, ending the rule of the Baath Party, which had been in power since 1963.
Türkiye has long taken steps to thwart the schemes of terror groups in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, in particular Daesh/ISIS and the PKK/YPG.
In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terror organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 victims, including women, children, infants and the elderly.
The YPG is the PKK's offshoot in Syria, an area where the group has tried to establish a terror corridor threatening Türkiye along its border.
In recent years, Türkiye has deployed troops and worked with local allies such as the opposition Syrian National Army to eliminate the threat and keep locals safe from terrorist oppression.