The Turkish government-linked media claims that Syrian government forces have withdrawn from the Afrin area before they have been able to reach the YPG-held city.
Anadolu Agency (source):
“Pro-regime groups, who tried to enter Syria’s Afrin to support YPG/PKK-Daesh against Turkey’s ongoing operation in the region, have withdrawn Tuesday before reaching the city following warning shots, according to reliable sources on the ground.
The pro-regime groups departed in the Nubl-al-Zahraa region, in southern Afrin, at around 5.00 p.m. (1400GMT) with the aim of supporting YPG/PKK-Daesh terror groups against Operation Olive Branch, said the source on condition of anonymity due to speaking to the media.
The militias tried to advance into the city with a convoy of 20 vehicles including armored vehicles with DShK heavy machine guns
The withdrawal of the pro-Bashar al-Assad terror groups came when they were about 10 km (about 6 miles) away from Afrin, in northwestern Syria.”
Earlier on February 20, the National Defense Forces (a Syrian government-linked militia) started entering the YPG-held area of Afrin under an alleged deal with the Kurdish force. Government forces immidiately came under Turkish fire.
