Urgent statement from People's Council of Afrin and Shahba

The Afrin and Shahba People's Council issued an urgent statement to the public opinion, stating:

"The Turkish state and its mercenaries attacked the area of Tel Rifaat and Shahba. During these 2 days, the Afrin liberation forces showed great resistance in order to protect us, and in order not to expose our people to massacres and not to kill innocent people, we decided of our own free will to leave the area that was surrounded by mercenaries of the Turkish state.

We would like to emphasize that our departure from the Shahba area does not mean that we have dispensed with our struggle for the liberation of Afrin, but that just as we endured all the difficult conditions during the past years in tents and in the open, from now on as well, our struggle will continue stronger. We will do our best to liberate our land and homes from the occupiers. We would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the Afrin Liberation Forces who protected us until the last moment and made sacrifices in order for us to live in safety and dignity."

Sh-S

ANHA