The Afrin offensive was a significant Turkish military operation initiated in January 2018, targeting the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Turkey considers a terrorist organization tied to the PKK. Afrin, located in northwestern Syria near the Turkish border, had been predominantly controlled by the YPG and its allies within the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Turkish operation aimed to establish a buffer zone and prevent the establishment of a Kurdish state along its border. Following successive Turkish advances, including the capture of the city of Afrin in March 2018, the SDF found itself in a precarious position as the Turkish military consolidated power over the district. In retaliation for the occupation and to reclaim control, the SDF began an organized insurgency characterized by guerrilla tactics. Their operations included ambushes, hit-and-run tactics, and targeted strikes against Turkish positions and allied Syrian groups. The insurgency represented not only a push against Turkish control but also showcased the determination of the SDF to resist external influences in Kurdish-held territories. In the following months, conflicts escalated in the region, resulting in a larger humanitarian crisis and exacerbating the strife between various factions within the ongoing Syrian Civil War.