The living conditions of Syrians near the Turkey-Syria border has improved considerably in the past four months, thanks to Turkey's support in cleaning 1,900 square kilometers from terrorists as part of the Operation Euphrates Shield that was launched against the terrorist organization Daesh and PYD/PKK.
Jarabulus had a population of around 30,000 before the civil war, but many fled the city after Daesh took control decreasing the population to 3,500. After the liberation of the city, people came back and, on addition to the increased internal migration within Syria, its population even reached 35,000.
With the rise in population, shops in the city center have started to resemble the ones in Anatolian cities. Muhammed Habeş, chairman of the Jarabulus council, stated that the growing city center has also led to an increase in trade relations with the north.
"The most important thing here is security, because the population suffered most from lack of it. Now, people can live as they want to, they can leave their houses at any hour. There is no doubt that, Turkey and Turkish soldiers contributed to Jarabulus' current state."
Turkey first launched Operation Euphrates Shield on Aug. 24 in Jarabulus, supporting FSA forces to clear Turkey's southern borders of Daesh, and form a 5,000-square-meter terror-free zone comprising the towns of al-Bab, al-Rai, Azaz, Jarablus and Manbij.
With the help of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and coalition forces, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) entered Jarabulus, which had changed hands several times between terrorist organizations PYD and Deash since the civil war began in 2011.
Targets identified by unmanned air vehicles were destroyed by Fırtına (storm) howitzer and warplanes. Numerous improvised explosive devices were also identified and defused by specialists. FSA units were able to enter Jarabulus within a few hours and retake the city from Daesh on the day the operation started.
After control was established in Jarabulus, FSA units were able to advance as Turkish Air Forces hit 883 targets, destroying 2,392 improvised explosive devices and 42 mines to extend the theater of operations and clear terrorist threats.
In the area between Syria's Azez-Jarabulus, where 225 residential areas are located, a total of 1,294 Daesh terrorists were neutralized, with 1,171 being killed, 117 injured and 6 others caught alive, while 306 PKK/PYD terrorist were killed during Operation Euphrates Shield.
Turkey-backed FSA forces liberated Al-Rai after the success in Jarabulus and advanced to al-Bab.
The operation to liberate al-Bab, which is under the control of Daesh, is still ongoing. 2,700 Daesh targets have been hit by warplanes and artillery since the operation in al-Bab started, killing 391 Daesh terrorist, and 26 PKK/PYD terrorists including senior officials.
After Jarabulus, which became the symbol of Operation Euphrates Shield, was cleared of terrorist organizations, Turkey started an aid campaign for the people living there.
