Operation Olive Branch

Operation Olive Branch, launched on 20 January 2018 as Türkiye's operation against the Afrin region in northwestern Syria, is a cross-border military operation.^【1】 Conducted under the leadership of the Turkish Armed Forces with support from certain local elements in the Syria area, it has been officially framed within the context of counter-terrorism efforts against PKK/KCK-PYD/YPG and DAESH.^【2】

Türkiye aimed to secure the border and dismantle armed formations assessed to have emerged in Afrin and its surroundings. The operation employed joint ground and air assets, implementing a comprehensive military plan to neutralize rocket and mortar attacks along the border. The district center of Afrin was brought under the control of the Turkish Armed Forces and supporting elements on 18 March 2018, marking the completion of the main combat phase of the operation.

Operation Olive Branch represents a significant example of Türkiye’s security approach, which anticipates confronting terrorist threats beyond its borders. As the second major large-scale operation conducted in Syria after Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch symbolized a new phase based on the concept of “area dominance” in cross-border regions.

Operation area – Anadolu Agency

The name “Olive Branch” was chosen to reflect Afrin’s prominence in olive production and to convey a symbolic framework emphasizing peace and security to the public.^【3】

Official statements emphasized that the operation’s targets were exclusively members of terrorist organizations, with utmost care taken to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Within this framework, Operation Olive Branch has become one of the primary operations consistently referenced in Türkiye’s security dimension of its Syria policy.

Historical and Strategic Background

The background to Operation Olive Branch lies in the power vacuum created by the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, and the subsequent filling of this vacuum by various armed groups. Due to its proximity to the Turkish border, Afrin gradually emerged as a direct border security concern for Ankara. The armed formations in and around Afrin were assessed as having the potential to form a contiguous belt along Türkiye’s southern border.^【4】

This situation raised the prospect of sustained cross-border attacks and an increased risk to internal security. Consequently, Afrin assumed a central position in operational planning, both tactically and strategically. Its adjacency to the Turkish provinces of Hatay and Kilis rendered the region particularly vulnerable to cross-border infiltration and rocket and mortar attacks.

Türkiye has informed the public that these attacks have resulted in casualties and material damage on its own territory.^【5】 The land connection between Afrin and other settlements in northern Syria heightened the risk of a centralized structure along a broader axis. Türkiye deemed it unacceptable from a national security perspective for this axis to become a corridor extending to the sea. In this context, Afrin transformed into a critical node in Türkiye’s envisioned security belt along the Syrian border.

Following 2015, the increase in terrorist attacks within Türkiye led to the adoption of a more proactive and cross-border approach in security policy. Operation Euphrates Shield marked the first large-scale operation in northern Syria, and Operation Olive Branch was viewed as a continuation of this strategy. The principle of “neutralizing threats at their source” became one of the foundational justifications for the operation against Afrin.

Ground forces during the operation – Anadolu Agency

Thus, Türkiye integrated not only its border line but also the area beyond it into its security planning. Operation Olive Branch emerged as the application of this approach specifically in Afrin.

Legal and Political Framework

Türkiye has stated that Operation Olive Branch was conducted within the framework of the legitimate right to self-defense recognized under international law. Rocket and mortar attacks targeting border provinces and threats against border outposts were regarded as direct attacks on national security.

Therefore, the operation was defined as a defensive action aimed at neutralizing elements of terrorist organizations. Official statements emphasized the importance of Syria’s territorial integrity and clarified that the operation had no objective of annexation or permanent division. It was also stated that principles concerning the protection of civilians were strictly adhered to and that these considerations were taken into account in target selection.

The presence of various international and regional actors in Syria during the operation has made airspace usage and on-the-ground coordination critical issues. The military balance in and around Afrin has also been taken into account in subsequent agreements and negotiations concerning northern Syria. Control over Afrin has been regarded as one of the factors strengthening Turkey’s position in discussions regarding Manbij and the areas east of the Euphrates.

Thus, Operation Olive Branch has influenced not only the military situation on the ground but also the diplomatic processes concerning Syria. The new situation that emerged in Afrin has become an indispensable parameter in negotiations over the Syria file. Domestically, Operation Olive Branch has become one of the primary issues shaping public agenda across broad segments of Turkish society.

Cross-border operation mandates were approved by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, and this framework became a key legal component of Operation Olive Branch. Political parties, civil society organizations, and various professional associations publicly declared their support for the operation with different statements. Nationwide, particularly in border provinces and among military units, solidarity and morale-boosting activities were organized, making public support visibly evident. This atmosphere transformed Operation Olive Branch into a process where security policy intersected with societal sensitivities.

Soldiers deployed in the operation - Anadolu Agency

Military Course of the Operation

The operation began on 20 January 2018 at 17:00 with intensive aerial bombardments and artillery fire along the border line.^【6】 In the initial phase, positions, command centers, ammunition depots, and supply lines around Afrin were targeted. Artillery batteries and multiple rocket launcher systems stationed on the Turkish side of the border conducted coordinated strikes on designated targets alongside aerial attacks.

Following this preparatory phase, ground forces began advancing into the rural areas of Afrin from the north, northwest, and west. The advance proceeded gradually and cautiously due to difficult terrain and the structure of defensive lines. Villages, hills, and road junctions in the Afrin countryside were systematically brought under control, and the defensive lines of armed elements in the region were fragmented.^【7】 

Numerous trenches, positions, and tunnel networks were identified in the operational area, with a significant portion rendered inoperative. Landmines and improvised explosive devices posed serious risks to both military units and civilians, prompting intensive operations by specially trained explosive ordnance disposal teams. During this phase, clearing roads and passages became one of the fundamental factors determining the speed of troop advancement and the security of supply lines.^【8】 

Control established in the countryside laid the groundwork for the final assault on the city of Afrin. On 18 March 2018, when Turkish forces entered the urban center of Afrin, control over the city largely passed to the Turkish Armed Forces and their supporting elements. After this date, the operation shifted focus from intense combat to search-and-clear, law enforcement, and stability activities. Numerous armed elements were neutralized during the operation, and various weapons and ammunition depots were seized.

Türkiye suffered significant military casualties during the operation, which were met with deep public sorrow. Local supporting elements also sustained losses during clashes, yet Operation Olive Branch concluded successfully after 57 days.^【9】 

Role of UAVs in the Operation

The Bayraktar TB2 conducted approximately 4,000 hours of flight time during Operation Olive Branch, primarily performing reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering missions. Throughout the operation, TB2 drones flew to detect potential threats along the routes of advancing ground forces, monitor the movements of infiltrating elements, and continuously observe changes along the contact line. Caves and tunnels used as shelters were identified through reconnaissance missions; the imagery and location data collected were transmitted without delay to operational command centers.

During Operation Olive Branch, Bayraktar TB2 UAVs carried out direct strike missions against targets identified through reconnaissance and surveillance flights. In these missions, the Mini Smart Munition (MAM-L), developed by ROKETSAN, was primarily employed. For the first time in this operation, TB2 drones were deployed with four MAM-L munitions each, and different variants of the MAM-L—armor-piercing, thermobaric, and anti-personnel warheads—were activated according to target type. Numerous successful strike missions were conducted against targets such as light structures, armored ground vehicles, radar antennas, and weapon emplacements using this munition.

Bayraktar TB2 UAVs prepared for mission - AA)

This data flow was utilized in coordination processes including threat classification, target verification, artillery fire adjustment, and target designation or marking for F-16 and F-4 aircraft and ATAK helicopters. TB2s continued their missions despite adverse meteorological conditions such as snow, fog, storms, heavy rainfall, and dense cloud cover. They could ascend to very high altitudes as needed or descend to low altitudes, such as 300 meters above ground level, adapting their flight profiles to operational conditions. In this context, the TB2 served as an aerial platform that ensured continuous data collection from the battlefield, operated in sync with ground troop movements, and integrated into various fire and force coordination systems.

Control of Afrin and Subsequent Developments

A Turkish soldier during the operation - MSB

The capture of the Afrin district center marked the beginning of the restructuring of the regional security architecture. Public buildings, main transportation routes and critical points were secured, and a new administrative and security framework was initiated.^【10】 

The establishment of local governance structures, the activation of security units, and the resumption of municipal services were among the priority steps. The restoration of education and healthcare services played a crucial role in normalizing daily life in Afrin. In this context, Afrin became an area restructured both in terms of security and socioeconomics.^【11】 

The clearance of landmines and improvised explosive devices became one of the most critical technical and humanitarian activities following the operation. Removing explosives laid by armed elements was deemed essential for the safety of military units and the continuation of civilians’ daily lives. As part of these efforts, roads, agricultural lands and settlement perimeters were systematically surveyed, and hazardous areas were either marked or cleared.

In addition, the filling of trenches and the sealing of tunnel networks produced significant outcomes for both security and intra-city mobility. These technical operations continued for an extended period and became one of the fundamental conditions for the sustainability of stability in Afrin. The revival of trade, agriculture and various service sectors accelerated the socio-economic recovery of the region.

The reopening of markets, the return of local merchants to their businesses, and the resumption of agricultural activities contributed to the gradual strengthening of the population’s livelihood sources. The reopening of schools and the resumption of services at health centers were among the most visible indicators of normalization in daily life. These developments supported the process of establishing lasting security and stability in Afrin.

Thus, the military outcomes of Operation Olive Branch generated lasting transformations in civilian life as well.

The first ten days of the operation - Anadolu Agency

Siber and Information Dimension

It was reported that cyberattacks targeting Türkiye increased during the operation, particularly against certain public institutions and media organizations. Relevant units implemented various measures to mitigate the impact of these attacks and worked to maintain the functionality of critical systems. This situation demonstrated that the cyber domain had become as vital a security component as land and air forces in modern operational environments.^【12】 

Operation Olive Branch emerged as a process in which cyber threats were managed alongside military activities on the ground.

This table revealed the multidimensional nature of the security approach. In the information dimension, the operation was conducted with regular public communication. Official authorities issued statements regarding the progress, objectives and developments on the ground, and published visual and written materials. Special video and photo collections prepared on anniversaries documented both the military process and the reconstruction of civilian life in Afrin.

Observations on the establishment of security and stability in Afrin were featured in reports and files produced from the field. These information activities contributed to shaping the operation’s place in collective social memory.

Artillery unit fire - MSB

Martyrs, Social Memory and Reflections

During Operation Olive Branch, a large number of Turkish Armed Forces personnel were killed in action. The names and places of origin of the martyrs were extensively covered in national and local media, generating widespread public反响.^【13】 

"During the operation, 4,519 terrorists were neutralized. In the operation, 54 Turkish military martyrs were lost and 236 soldiers were wounded. Additionally, 320 soldiers from the Syrian National Army who operated alongside the Turkish Armed Forces were also killed." 

Funeral ceremonies were held with broad public participation across many provinces of Türkiye. State protocol, local officials and citizens gathered for these ceremonies. The testimonies and narratives of the martyrs’ families brought the humanitarian dimension of the operation into sharper focus within public consciousness. This process ensured that Operation Olive Branch secured a strong place in Türkiye’s social memory.

To keep the names of the martyrs alive, various initiatives have been implemented across different regions of Türkiye. The names of soldiers who were killed during Operation Olive Branch have been given to parks, streets, schools and other public facilities. In Afrin, certain military bases, hills and installations have also begun to be named after the martyrs.^【14】 

Maps and lists prepared in honor of the martyrs have been incorporated into both public institution projects and civil society initiatives. These practices have contributed to the continuity of the concept of martyrdom through space and memory. Operation Olive Branch is regarded as a significant turning point in Türkiye’s recent security history.

Together with Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch has become a symbol of a new phase in Türkiye’s cross-border fight against terrorism. Commemorative events held on anniversaries and specially prepared documentation have sustained the operation’s visibility on the public agenda.

Security and socio-economic developments in Afrin have become tangible indicators of the operation’s long-term impacts. In this regard, Operation Olive Branch has become a permanent reference point in Türkiye’s regional security vision.

Operation Olive Branch is recorded as Türkiye’s comprehensive cross-border military operation targeting the Afrin region. Through this operation, armed structures in Afrin were significantly weakened, with the aim of reducing threats directed at Türkiye’s southern border.

^{A documentary prepared on the operation -} MSB

The control established in Afrin, alongside the Euphrates Shield region, has contributed to the formation of a security belt along Türkiye’s border with Syria. The operation has become one of the practical applications of a territory-based counter-terrorism approach and has generated valuable experience regarding the use of defense industry capabilities and multi-dimensional security tools. Security, administration and reconstruction activities conducted in Afrin after the operation have emerged as key elements shaping the long-term impacts of Operation Olive Branch.