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Beirut, Feb 21 - RIA Novosti, Mikhail Alaeddin. The column of the Syrian National Forces (SNA) safely reached AfriN, RIA Novosti official representative of the Kurdish self-defense forces Reyzan Hedu told RIA Novosti.

The day before, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stated that the militias had retreated after they fell under the fire of Turkish artillery.

"Erdogan turned out to be a bad road policeman today, saying that he stopped the movement of the Syrian forces that were heading to Afrin." These words are wrong - the forces are already in Athena, "Hedu said.

He also said that dozens of journalists who covered the movement of the SNA column fell under artillery fire at the entrance to the canton of Afrin.

According to him, the Kurds are in constant contact with the Syrian army, Damascus and the authorities in Africa.

"We reflect the Turkish aggression for 32 days ... <...> They may have advanced to a number of positions, but on the whole the military campaign has been unsuccessful," Hedu added.

Earlier, some media reported that the Kurds agreed with Damascus on the introduction of Syrian government troops into Afrin. In Ankara, these data were refuted, calling misinformation. At the same time Erdogan said that Turkish troops will surround the city "in the coming days."

Operation "Olive branch"

Turkey on January 20 began in Africa Operation "Olive Branch" against Kurdish groups, which Ankara considers terrorists. According to the General Staff, since the start of the fighting, Turkish forces have destroyed more than 1,7 thousand militants.

Damascus condemned the attack of Turkey, calling it "aggression".

The Kremlin urged all parties to show restraint and respect the territorial integrity of Syria. The Defense Ministry believes that the current situation led to the actions of the United States, which supplied weapons to pro-American forces.

Link: https://ria.ru/syria/20180221/151504...k=index_main_1