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ANKARA, February 21 - RIA Novosti. The column of Syrian militia forces on 40-50 vehicles, which tried to enter Tuesday in Afrin, retreated after shelling by the Turkish army, Turkish President's representative Ibrahim Kalyn said.

On Tuesday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stated that the Syrian militia had retreated from Afrina after they fell under the fire of Turkish artillery. However, as the spokesman of the Kurdish self-defense forces Afrina Reizan Hedu stated, the column of the Syrian national forces safely reached Afrina in spite of the shelling of Turkish artillery.

"We initially said that we need more substantive evidence of rumors about agreements between the Syrian regime and the YPG (self-defense forces of Kurds) against rumors." Yesterday's case: from Aleppo towards Afrina there was an attempt to break through 40-50 militant vehicles, but after the fire they retreated back to Aleppo Even if there are dirty and secret bidding, we will continue resolutely our operation, and there will be consequences for those who try to obstruct it, because we defend our borders within the law, "Kalyn said to journalists.

According to him, in covering the advancement of the convoy of several dozen cars "there is an element of show or propaganda."

"Of course, we take this into account, but if they make such an attempt again, everything is possible, for us they will become the target." In such cases, we can use direct contacts with the (Syrian) regime, "Kalyn added.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Turkey on January 20 announced the beginning of the operation "Olive Branch" against the formation of Kurds in Syrian Africa. Simultaneously with Turkey, the militants of the "Syrian Free Army" are active.

Damascus strongly condemned Turkey's actions in Africa, noting that this territory is an integral part of Syria. Moscow in connection with the situation in Africa called on all parties to restrain and respect the territorial integrity of the RAA.

Link: https://ria.ru/syria/20180221/1515053093.html