Recently, the Turkish press has repeatedly reported that Turkey has taken Arfet (Tal Rifat) with Russian support. The population of the region and the refugees from Afrin refute this claim.

History of Tal Rifat

Historically, Tal Rifat is a region that has hosted many kingdoms. One of these kingdoms was that of the Assyrian ruler Tiglath-Pileser, who took this city, founded in the 9th century BC, under his rule. Arfet's story goes back to the 9th century and later received the Arabic name Tal Rifat after Arfet.

Arfet is 35 kilometers north of Aleppo. The city has an area of ​​about 710 hectares. The city is affiliated to Azaz. The population was 43,781, according to a 2013 census.

There are many historical sites in the city and in its district and villages. In the city center is a train station built in 1909, which served as a link between Turkey and Aleppo. The archaeological center is also located in the city. At the same time, Tal Rifat is rich in fertile land where wheat, lentil, millet, peanuts, olives and grapes are grown. In the city there is an important trading center, where people of the surrounding villages stock up on their needs.

Arfet was under the occupation of the Turkish state backed militias until 15 February 2016 when it was liberated. Since then, the former occupiers are trying to recapture the city. For this reason, they have frequently bombed the cities of Marê, Kelcibrin and Arfet. However, because of the resistance of the revolutionary forces, these attempts at conquest have so far been unsuccessful.

As we move around the center of Arfet, we experience a vibrant city where residents continue their daily lives.

Allegations of the Turkish state are without foundation

ANHA talked to technician Ebdo Helebiye in Arfet. He returned after the liberation of the city and resumed his work. He tells: "We live in peace in our city. If the Turkish state claims that there is no peace here, that is a lie."

"A life of peace and tranquility"

Îsa Mihemed from the village of Meydan Ikbis in Afrin’s Rajo district has settled in Arfet. He tells that he came to Arfet following the ravages of the Turkish military: "Right now we live in peace and quiet in Tal Rifat. The Kurdish Red Crescent Heyva Sor a Kurd and the revolutionary forces are supporting us."

Gang groups are after looting

63-year-old İzet Ebdulhemîd from Afrin’s Jindires district reports that the Turkish-backed militias have plundered all the homes in Jindires: "Our relatives who have stayed in the village report that the gangs have plundered all the homes and left nothing behind. The Turkish military and its gangs will not stay long in Afrin, the resistance of Afrin will prevail."  

"Fighters will free Afrin from the hands of the gangs"

Zeynep Mihemed from the Ashrafiyah district of Afrin has also come to Arfet. She explains that the Turkish military and its militias intimidate the population of Arfet and thus want to force them to flee: "So far, there is no danger in Tal Rifat, the population lives in peace and quiet. We hope that the YPG and YPJ fighters will clean Afrin of the gangs as soon as possible and that we will return to Afrin as soon as possible."

The Turkish state forces Kurds to migrate

Hesna Mihemed from Babis village in Arfet, who emigrated to Afrin a few years ago and now lives in Arfet again because of the invasion, explains: "The Turkish state does not let us live in peace. They have caused great suffering to our people since the beginning of the Syrian crisis. Now they claim to occupy Arfet and want to drive us out. But the Turkish state should know well that we will resist and not leave our land."