"Our Syrian brothers who have fled the oppression of the PKK/YPG members and sought refuge in Jerablus (recently liberated by Operation Euphrates Shield), have voluntarily begun returning to their homes now liberated by 'Operation Peace Spring'," Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Noting that the removal of PKK/YPG members from Tel Abyad and Ras al-Ayn as part of "Operation Peace Spring" has paved the way for people to return to their homes, the statement said: "Approximately 1.5 million of our Kurdish brethren were forced to flee after being unable to stand the oppression by PKK/YPG after the terror group invaded the region east of the Euphrates. Approximately 400,000 Syrian Kurdish brothers also sought refuge in Turkey."

Stressing that the success of "Operation Peace Spring", the resulting removal of PKK/YPG members from the region and momentum being gained in fundamental infrastructure work has opened the way for our Syrian brothers to return, the statement said: "Approximately 200 of our Syrian brothers who fled the PKK/YPG terror group by seeking refuge in Jarabulus have voluntarily returned to their homes and lands in a secure and safe manner."

The statement concluded: "With the facilitation of peace and security in the 'Operation Peace Spring' area, it is expected for people to continue returning their homes. In this respect, 70 more families comprising of 295 people have begun making their way from Jarabulus to their homes in Tel Abyad." (ILKHA)