In March 2018, a significant military operation culminated in the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the Syrian National Army (SNA) taking control of the Afrin District in northwest Syria. This offensive, known as Operation Olive Branch, began in January 2018 with the explicit objective of displacing the People's Protection Units (YPG), a Kurdish militant group Turkey labeled as a terrorist organization due to its links to the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party). The YPG had established a strong foothold in Afrin, and Turkey aimed to prevent what it viewed as a growing threat along its southern border. After weeks of intense combat, Turkish forces successfully captured the city of Afrin, effectively dismantling the Kurdish administration in that area.The operation was marked by a combination of artillery bombardments, aerial assaults, and ground assaults, with a reported aim of safeguarding Turkey's territorial integrity while also supporting Syrian rebel factions. The capture of Afrin also had broader implications for the Kurdish population in Syria, as it emphasized the ongoing struggle for autonomy and recognition within the context of the Syrian civil war. The offensive generated significant international attention, with varying responses regarding Turkey's military actions and the humanitarian situation on the ground. Following the successful takeover, TAF and SNA conducted mopping-up operations within neighborhoods to secure control, while concerns rose about the impact on civilians and potential return of displaced populations.The aftermath left a significant presence of both Turkish military and allied Syrian factions in Afrin, signaling a shift in control dynamics within the region. By establishing a foothold there, Turkey sought to influence the future political landscape of northern Syria, as well as to integrate the region more closely into its sphere of influence. The operation posed questions regarding the trajectory of Syrian Kurdish aspirations and the overall stability of the region moving forward.