Terror groups construct tunnels in Afrin with European funds, support

Western countries continue to supply arms and ammunition as well as financial and infrastructural support to terrorist organizations

As Turkey’s Operation Olive Branch continues, Western countries continue to support terrorist organizations with arms and infrastructure.

Terrorists in Afrin have built sophisticated underground tunnels, which bear traces of European designs.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan questioned machinery such as concrete mixers belonging to French company Lafarge.

“The mixers they [terrorists] received were very interesting. Who were they by? Lafarge. Who does Lafarge belong to? They have factories there. We saw the state of the tunnels. Given all this, how can the West call our actions into question?” Erdoğan said.

Lafarge, which maintains an operational cement factory in Manbij’s Suaim region, was previously embroiled in a scandal after evidence detailing its dealings with Daesh terrorists were revealed.

Despite the ongoing civil war in Syria, Lafarge’s factory in Manbij has not halted cement production since 2011.

Many organizations which have changed their names in order to hide their various terror-supporting activities have been able to open offices across Europe. One of these organizations is the Kurdish Red Crescent.

Since March 2016, the Kurdish Red Crescent has sent over one million euros to Nusaybin, Jazira and Sur. It is alleged that this money has gone toward the tunnels connected to Afrin.

Recent reports indicate that terrorist organizations have been backed financially, primarily by Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

Separatist organizations, primarily the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), have collected about 30 million euros under the name of “donations,” across Europe through illegal activities. Those who do not "donate" are threatened and assaulted, and their businesses are discredited.

European countries do not only provide financial support, but also infrastructural support to terrorist organizations in Afrin.

Many tunnels are exposed by armed and unarmed drones, and the troops advancing on the ground are neutralizing these tunnels as part of Operation Olive Branch.

The tunnels, with depths ranging from one to 10 meters, are reinforced with very thick concrete barriers to protect them in case of an attack. The tunnels used by terrorists have living spaces, ventilation holes and surveillance huts.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 in Afrin to establish security and stability, eliminate PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists, and save locals from their oppression and cruelty.

The U.S has supplied the PYD terror organization with more than 5,000 truckloads of weapons to allegedly use in the fight against Daesh, despite Ankara’s warnings that the group is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012, when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.