Türkiye rejects accusations of destroying olive trees in Syria's Afrin

The Turkish government has formally dismissed as disinformation widespread reports alleging the mass destruction of olive groves in northwestern Syria. In a statement on Tuesday, Türkiye's Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) refuted claims that more than two million olive trees had been cut down in the Afrin region, which has been under the control of Turkish-backed forces since 2018. The center characterized these allegations as a malicious and recycled propaganda campaign with no basis in verifiable fact.

Framing the accusations as a deliberate "perception operation"

The DMM did not merely deny the claims but provided a strategic analysis of their timing and purpose. It stated that such debunked allegations constitute a "deliberate perception operation," resurfacing at a critical juncture. The agency specifically linked the timing to current developments in Syria, noting it coincides with efforts to "reinforce Syria's territorial integrity" and "neutralize terrorist elements." This framing suggests Ankara believes the accusations are a coordinated information attack aimed at discrediting its military and political actions in northern Syria by appealing to environmental and humanitarian concerns.

Asserting Türkiye's role in regional stability and counter-terrorism

In its rebuttal, the DMM pivoted to a defense of Türkiye's overarching mission in the region. It asserted that Türkiye's presence has "made significant contributions to counter-terrorism efforts and to the establishment of an environment of peace, security, stability, and prosperity." By connecting the rejection of the olive tree claims to its broader security narrative, the statement seeks to reposition the discussion away from specific environmental accusations and toward Türkiye's self-proclaimed role as a stabilizing force combating terrorism, primarily referring to the Kurdish YPG, which it views as an extension of the PKK.

The context of the Afrin operation and ongoing disputes

The Afrin region was the focus of Türkiye's Operation Olive Branch in 2018, a military incursion aimed at pushing YPG forces away from its border. Since then, allegations of property confiscation, demographic change, and environmental damage have been persistent from Syrian opposition groups and international NGOs. Türkiye has consistently denied these claims, arguing they are fabricated by terrorist sympathizers. The latest DMM statement reinforces this long-standing position, aiming to pre-emptively discredit future reports and solidify its narrative domestically and for international audiences that are skeptical of its Syrian intervention.