Order of battle for Operation Olive Branch
This is the order of battle for the Turkish military operation in Afrin, codenamed "Operation Olive Branch" by Turkey. The Pro-Turkish forces, including the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, are opposed by the armed forces of the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria, including the Syrian Democratic Forces, Afrin Region regional defense forces, and foreign fighters.[1][2]
Turkey and allied forces
![](../I/m/Turkish_soldiers_on_Barsaya_mountain.png)
Turkish soldiers on Barsaya mountain
![](../I/m/Operation_Olive_Branch-Turkish_Special_Forces.jpg)
A Turkish commando during the operation.
Turkish Naval Forces[6]- General Directorate of Security[7]
- National Intelligence Organization (MİT)[8][9]
![](../I/m/FSA_Afrin_25-1-2018_(8).jpg)
Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army fighters praying, 25 January 2018
- Victory Bloc
- Elite Army[3][11]
- Elite Battalion (Azadî Battalion)[12][13][14]
Sham Legion[15] (part of the National Front for Liberation since May 2018)[16]- Army of Grandchildren[14]
- Northern Brigade[17]
- Elite Army[3][11]
- First Legion
- Samarkand Brigade[18][19]
Muntasir Billah Brigade[9]- Sultan Mehmed the Conquerer Brigade[9][19]
- Conquest Brigade[17][20] (also part of the Levant Front)
![](../I/m/FSA_Afrin_25-1-2018_(9).jpg)
Turkish-backed Syrian fighters with an armoured personnel carrier (ACV-15).
- Second Legion[21]
Sultan Murad Division[15] Hamza Division[15]- Kurdish Falcons Brigade[23]
Al-Mu'tasim Brigade[15]
- Third Legion[24]
- Levant Front[15][15]
- Northern Storm Brigade[21]
Ahrar al-Sham[9][15] (also part of the Syrian Liberation Front)[25]
- Northern Army[21]
- Levant Front[15][15]
![](../I/m/Kurdish_group_FSA_26-1-2018.jpg)
Although their number is relatively small, several Kurds who are opposed to the PYD have joined the pro-Turkish forces, such as the former Azadî Battalion.[13][12][26][27]
Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement [9][14][28][29] (also part of the Syrian Liberation Front)[25] Fastaqim Union[30]- Mare' Military Council[14]
Ahrar al-Sharqiya[31]- Ahl al-Diyar[32]
9th Special Forces Division[33] Army of Victory (since 16 February)[34][9]- Saladin Brigade (Descendants of Saladin Brigade remnant)[35][9][36]
- Martyr Mashaal Tammo Brigade[35][36]
- Qamishli Shield[35]
- Afrin Shield[35]
- Tajama a-Thuwar al-Kurd (coalition of Kurdish units in the TFSA)[37]
![](../I/m/Afrine_2018_23e_division_ASL_(3).jpg)
23rd Division fighters during the operation
- 23rd Division[19][38]
- Mustafa Brigade (ex-13th Division unit)[19]
- Northern Hawks Brigade[17]
- Vakkas Brigade[17]
- Mustafa Regiment[17]
- 1st Commando Brigade[17]
- Conqueror Lions Brigade[17]
- Resolute Storm Brigade[17]
- Authenticity and Development Front[17]
- Sultan Othman Brigade[17]
- Men of War Brigade[17]
- 5th Regiment[17]
- Second Army[17]
- Justice Union[17]
- Syrian Interim Government's Ministry of Defense
- Military Police[11]
- Free Police
- Ex-Free East Ghouta Police forces[39]
Southern front (non-TFSA units):
Free Idlib Army (part of the National Front for Liberation since May 2018)- Syrian Liberation Front elements[25] (part of the National Front for Liberation since August 2018)
- Army of Mujahideen remnants[25]
Democratic Federation of Northern Syria and allied forces
![](../I/m/YPG_fighters_in_the_woods_(Afrin_February_2018).jpg)
People's Protection Units (YPG) fighters in Afrin Region during the operation
People's Protection Units (YPG) Women's Protection Units (YPJ)- Martyr Avesta Xabur Battalion (Kongreya Star volunteers)[41]
- Anti-Terror Units (YAT)[42]
Army of Revolutionaries[43] Kurdish Front[44]- Revolutionary Shield Brigade[45]
Syriac Military Council (MFS)[46] Northern Democratic Brigade[47][48]- Idlib Military Council[48]
![](../I/m/Captured_SDF_position_on_Barsaya_mountain.png)
A defensive position of the SDF on Mount Barsa (Barṣāyā) after its capture by Turkish-led troops
- Self-Defence Forces (HXP)[49]
Civil Defence Forces (HPC)[50]- Asayish[51]
MLKP[54][55][56][57] TKP/ML TİKKO[54][56] RUIS[58] Martyr Michael Israel Brigade (Antifascist Forces in Afrin)[59][60][57] TKEP/L[61] DKP[57]
![](../I/m/YPG_sniper_(Afrin_February_2018).jpg)
YPG sniper during the operation
Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ)[62] Êzîdxan Women's Units (YJÊ)[62]
References
- 1 2 "British men prepare to fight Turkish-led forces in Syria". BBC. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- 1 2 Megan Specia (27 January 2018). "Foreign Fighters Back Kurdish Militia in Syria in Fight Against Turkey". New York Times. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- 1 2 "Turkish special forces and allied militias capture villages in Kurdish enclave". The National (Abu Dhabi). 21 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- ↑ "Son dakika: Hendek avcısı PÖH'ler ve JÖH'ler emir bekliyor!". Milliyet (in Turkish). 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ↑ Gazetesi, Aydınlık. "İntikal başladı! Afrin merkezde onlar da çatışmaya girecek! - Aydınlık".
- ↑ Son dakika: TSK'dan flaş Afrin açıklaması!
- ↑ Özel Harekat böyle uğurlandı
- ↑ "Intelligence agency MİT playing active role in Turkey's Afrin operation". Hürriyet Daily News. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fehim Tastekin (26 January 2018). "Erdogan's plans for Afrin might not sit well with Syria". al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ↑ "The Turkish forces, the Gray Wolves and the factions advance in the west of Afrin and seek to wrap around a new village to expand their scope of control backed by intensive aerial and ground shelling". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). 30 January 2018.
- 1 2 Khaled al-Khateb (29 March 2018). "Syrian opposition seeks to clamp down on looting in Afrin". al-Monitor. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- 1 2 Hogir Nejjae (24 January 2018). "Kurdish National Council participates in aggression against Afrin". Hawar News Agency. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- 1 2 Zaman al-Wasl (24 January 2018). "Dozens of Kurds Fighting Under FSA Banner: Rebel Commander". Syrian observer. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 Adnan Al Hussein (21 January 2017). "هل تنجح "غصن الزيتون" بإجبار "الوحدات" على تسليم عفرين؟" [Will Olive Branch succeed in forcing the units to hand over Afrin?]. almodon (in Arabic). Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Who Are the Pro-Turkey Rebels Advancing on Syria's Afrin". Naharnet. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ↑ "Four dead for "units" Kurdish in Afrin region in confrontations with the "free"". SMART News Agency. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Syrian Rebel Brigades Participating in the Operation Olive Branch [18 January 2018]". Suriye Gündemi. 18 February 2018. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018.
- ↑ Leith Aboufadel (23 January 2018). "Kurdish forces kill high ranking FSA commander in northern Afrin". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Efrin'e saldıran çete gruplar ve arkasındaki güçler ?" [Gang bands and forces behind Efrin?]. Hawar News Agency (in Turkish). 2 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ↑ "Syria: Afrin Residents Blocked from Fleeing, Aid". Human Rights Watch. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
- 1 2 3 "The Kurds of Syria are determined to defend themselves against the Turkish operation". Al-Hayat. 21 January 2018.
- ↑ Leith Aboufadel (31 January 2018). "Turkish-backed rebels seize town in northern Afrin". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ↑ Suraj Sharma (16 February 2018). "Turkey sends 'Kurdish Falcon' force to Afrin to counter anti-Kurd image". Middle East Eye.
- ↑ Wissam Al-Ahmed; Talal Kharrat (29 January 2018). "Senior In National Army To Qasioun: What Happened In Olive Branch Is Just A Beginning". Qasioun News. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 Lindsey Snell (30 July 2018). "The Last of the Syrian Good-Guy Rebels". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- ↑ Burak Karacaoglu; Omer Koparan; Muhammet Kursun; Ali Murat Alhas (27 January 2018). "Afrin operation aims to protect Kurds: FSA commander". AA. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- ↑ Ahmed al Burai (23 January 2018). "Kurdish FSA leader says he was forced to leave Afrin after YPG took control". TRT World. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- ↑ Nordland, Rod (4 February 2018). "Turkey's Worst Day Yet in Syria Offensive: At Least 7 Soldiers Killed". New York Times.
- ↑ "Statement: Free Army Announces The Liberation Of The Entire City Of Afrin North Of Aleppo". RFS Media Office. 18 March 2018.
- ↑ Hannah Lucinda Smith (27 January 2018). "Turkish tanks grind US policy into mud of northern Syria". The Times. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
- ↑ Hassan Hassan (31 January 2018). "Turkey is planting the seeds for future catastrophe in Syria". The National (Abu Dhabi). Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- ↑ Wissam Al-Ahmed; Talal Kharrat (16 January 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: Afrin Battle Knocking The Doors And We Will Join It, Says Syrian Opposition Commander". Qasioun News. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ↑ Wissam Al-Ahmed; Talal Kharrat (27 January 2018). "Syrian Opposition Senior Reveals To Qasioun The Latest Updates On Olive Branch Operation". Qasioun News. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ↑ "In Idlib: "Free Army" Factions Receive Turkish Conditional Funding". Enab Baladi. 17 February 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 Ammar Hammou; Maria Nelson (5 February 2018). "Revolutionaries, pawns, liberators, or mercenaries? Meet the Kurdish fighters participating in Turkey's Afrin offensive". Syria Direct.
- 1 2 Khaled al-Khateb (16 February 2018). "Kurdish fighters join Turkey's Afrin operation". al-Monitor. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ↑ Tariq Adely; Ammar Hamou (23 May 2018). "Hundreds of displaced residents make their way back to Afrin despite lingering 'obstacles' to return". SYRIA:direct. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ↑ "We raised Combat readiness south-west of Afrin, Commander of 23rd Division military operations says". Syria Call. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ↑ Bahira al-Zarier; Justin Clark; Mohammad Abdulssattar Ibrahim; Ammar Hamou (14 May 2018). "Hidden explosives stunt movement, frighten Afrin residents two months into pro-Turkish rule". SYRIA:direct. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- ↑ Emma Vardy (24 January 2018). "British men prepare to fight Turkish-led forces in Syria". BBC News. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- ↑ "Women from Kobane form a battalion to support Afrin". ANF News. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ↑ "Afrin'de öldürülen teröristin kıyafetindeki peç detayı" [Details about the terrorists killed in Afrin]. Akşam (in Turkish). 30 January 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ↑ "Jaysh al-Thuwar Commander: We are fighting alongside YPG/YPJ". ANF News. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ↑ "Latest from Afrin and Shehba amid ongoing attacks". ANF News. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ↑ "Revolutionary Shield declares readiness to respond to the attacks of the Turkish occupation". Firat News Agency. 27 January 2018.
- ↑ Leith Aboufadel (29 January 2018). "Breaking: Assyrian militia sends reinforcements to defend Afrin". al-Masdar News (in Arabic). Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ↑ "مقاتلون من إدلب: ندافع عن عفرين وعيوننا على تحرير إدلب" [Idlib fighters: We defend Afrin and our eyes are on the liberation of Idlib]. Hawar News Agency (in Arabic). 26 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- 1 2 ""We will withdraw our forces from east of Euphrates, send them to the fronts of Afrin"". Hawar News Agency. 6 March 2018. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- ↑ "After continued and heavy shelling since Wednesday…the Turkish forces and the factions of Operation "Olive Branch" take the control of about half of the city of Afrin". SOHR. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ↑ "HPC: Struggling to protect our land, our people". Hawar News Agency. 21 January 2018. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- ↑ "Asayish Forces in Tirbe Sipi renewed martyrs bledge". Hawar News Agency. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ↑ "Komalên Ciwan Efrîn'de hayatını kaybeden Navdar Serhat'ı andı". ANF News (in Turkish). 26 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
- ↑ Julian Röpcke (27 January 2018). "Türkische Offensive in Nordsyrien. Deutsche kämpfen gegen Erdogan" [Turkish offensive in northern Syria. Germans fight against Erdogan]. Bild. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- 1 2 "Turkish military offensive against Afrin : the Kurds are the victims of the contradictions between the imperialists". Marxist–Leninist Communist Organization – Proletarian Way. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ↑ "Efrîn'deki MLKP komutanı Viyan İsyan: Zafer bizim olacak" [MLKP commander Viyan İsyan in Afrin: Victory will be ours]. ETHA (Etkin Haber Ajansı) (in Turkish). 27 January 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- 1 2 Marcel Cartier (3 February 2018). "Which red flag is flying? The communists defending Afrin". The Region. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- 1 2 3 Andrew Illingworth (30 March 2018). "Full list of Kurdish YPG foreign fighters killed in Afrin battle (Photos)". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ↑ "EÖT savaşçısı İzlandalı Haukur Hilmarsson şehit düştü" [IFB Icelandic warrior Haukur Hilmarsson fell as martyr]. ETHA (Etkin Haber Ajansı) (in Turkish). 6 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ Insurrection News (13 February 2018). "Rojava: Statement from Antifascist Forces in Afrin (AFFA)". It's going down!. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ↑ Jan-Lukas Kuhley (21 February 2018). "Politisiert durch den Krieg" [Politicized by the war]. Neues Deutschland (in German). Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ↑ Andrew Illingworth (13 March 2018). "TKEP/L savaşçısı Kenan Aktaş Efrin'de ölümsüzleşti" [TKEP/L fighter Kenan Aktas immortalized in Efrin]. Yeni Demokrasi (in Turkish). Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- 1 2 "Un convoi de 5.000 Kurdes à Afrin contre l'invasion turque" [A convoy of 5,000 Kurds in Afrin against the Turkish invasion]. Jforum (in French). 6 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
- ↑ "'Afrin Falcons' claim responsibility for city bombings". Rudaw. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
- ↑ "Syrian government forces deploy to Afrin-Idlib border to halt rebel advance". al-Masdar News. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ↑ Ammar Hamou; Mohammad Abdulssattar Ibrahim; Avery Edelman (21 February 2018). "Turkish-backed forces advance in Afrin despite entry of pro-government militias". SYRIA:direct. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ↑ Editorial, Reuters. "Pro-Syrian government fighters start to enter Afrin - Hezbollah media unit".
- ↑ "Turkey shells Assad loyalists trying to cross into Syria's Afrin".
- ↑ http://www.rudaw.net/english/analysis/21022018
- ↑ "Pro-Syrian government militia move into Kurdish-controlled Afrin despite Turkish warnings - Egypt Independent". Deutsche Welle. 21 February 2018.
- ↑ "'Esad rejimine bağlı güçler Afrin'e girdi' iddiası". Habertürk. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
- ↑ "Turkey shells Assad loyalists trying to cross into Syria's Afrin". Middle East Eye. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ↑ "Syria: Pro-Damascus Popular Forces Enter Kurdish-Held Afrin despite Ankara's Disagreement". Fars News. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
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