The Turkish army has withdrawn from a village in the city of Afrin in Rojava (West Kurdistan) for the first time since taking control of the area in 2018. Reports indicate that several homes in the village were destroyed during the military presence.

Turkish Forces Withdraw from Basile Village

A source in the city of Afrin told Channel8 that the Turkish army has completely evacuated the village of Basila.

The withdrawal marks the first time Turkish forces have left a village in the Afrin region since they seized control of the city on March 18, 2018. During that period, none of the village's residents were allowed to return to their homes.

According to reports, the Turkish army demolished several residential houses in the village to establish military outposts.

The homes are now completely uninhabitable, and there has been no announcement or plan regarding financial compensation for the affected homeowners.

Turkish Military Presence Continues Elsewhere

Despite the withdrawal from Basile, Turkish forces continue to maintain positions in four other villages in the Afrin area: Chiye, Jilbre, Darwish, and Shikhorze.

A major Turkish military base in the village of Basofan also remains fully operational and has not been evacuated.

Over the past eight years, tens of thousands of Kurdish residents have been displaced from Afrin.

According to the reports, those who remained in the city have been subjected to ongoing human rights violations and violence by Turkish-backed armed groups.