TEL RIFAAT

The Syrian National Army on Sunday captured a long tunnel in the village of Zuyan, liberated from terrorists south of Tel Rifaat, during Operation Dawn of Freedom launched to prevent the Tel Rifaat-Manbij terrorist corridor from the PKK/YPG.

According to information obtained from local sources, the Zuyan Tunnel is part of a network of tunnels that surrounds the center of Tel Rifaat district and connects certain localities, some of which were mapped by Anadolu in 2022.

The tunnels surrounding the town center of Tel Rifaat, located 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the Turkish border, are at least 30 kilometers (18 miles) long. The tunnels are 1.5 meters wide and approximately 2 meters high.

After the liberation of Zuyan village from terrorists, violent clashes with the PKK/YPG are underway.

Operation Dawn of Freedom

The SNA launched Operation Dawn of Freedom in response to PKK/YPG plans to establish a terrorist corridor between Tel Rifaat and northeastern Syria.

After anti-regime armed groups began operations against Aleppo, Syrian regime forces lost control of large areas in a short time.

In response, they sought support from the PKK/YPG, allowing the terrorist group to gain territory.

The Syrian regime has begun ceding control of areas east of the Euphrates River to PKK/YPG forces.

As a result, many PKK/YPG terrorists from the region moved to the Aleppo region and heavy weapons belonging to the group were deployed there.

In response to the PKK/YPG’s plan to establish a terrorist corridor between Tel Rifaat and northeastern Syria, the SNA quickly entered the field and launched Operation Dawn of Freedom.

During the operation, SNA forces seized the Kuweires military air base, which contains military aircraft and air defense systems, thereby breaking PKK/YPG control over the Tel Rifaat-Mare corridor.

The SNA also captured the strategically important Minnigh Airport, located just 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Türkiye.

*Written by Efe Ozkan

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