The operation, dubbed Olive Branch, started on January 20 following the US announcement of its decision to train a 30,000-strong border security force on Syria’s northern borders that would include the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) affiliated with the YPG, which Ankara regards as a terrorist group.
As queer activists from Turkey and Kurdistan, we will be saying "No to War!" in #DefendAfrin demonstrations today in London, Zurich, Paris, and Rennes.
— hakan sandal (@hakansandal) 27 января 2018 г.
Kurds from all over Kurdistan and friends of Kurds all over Europe gathers today to condemn Turkey’s attack on #Afrin. #DefendAfrin pic.twitter.com/di1Cy8y4Wr
— Lawên | لاوێن (@Lawwwen) 27 января 2018 г.
Germany
According to police reports, some 7,000 protesters are demonstrating in the city of Cologne. Police have reinforced security to prevent any conflict between Kurdish and Turkish immigrants.
Pro-Kurdish people protest today in Cologne, Germany against the Turkish attacks on Afrin,
— Serbest Yaman (@goyi_ciya) 27 января 2018 г.
REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen#Afrin #Efrin
Kürt insanlar bugün Köln ' de, Almanya ' nın Afrin ' e yapılan Türk saldırılarına karşı protesto ediyor,. pic.twitter.com/FyASOpzc6b
Kurds in Germany protest Turkish Syria offensive https://t.co/R4LFRoMKpR pic.twitter.com/m8W6oAY5Yj
— Sax (@Sax_Jabbering) 27 января 2018 г.
Earlier this week, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel had expressed the country’s concern over Turkey’s ongoing operation and announced the decision to halt supplies of German-built Leopard tanks to Ankara.
Amid Germany Leopard crisis, thousands of people took to the streets of Cologne on Saturday (January 27) to protest against a Turkish military offensive in the city of Afrin, Syria pic.twitter.com/cdlR9e5Xmr
— The Region (@TheRegionOrg) 27 января 2018 г.
Happening now in Cologne/Germany: Thousands of Kurds and their friends are condemning the Turkish attacks on Kurdish Afrin #DefendAfrin pic.twitter.com/MS0IO0NTyF
— Cahida Dêrsim (@dersi4m) 27 января 2018 г.
German police have stopped the rally of ten thousands of Kurds in solidarity with Afrin. German police calls on Kurds to remove the flags of Abdullah Öcalan #CologneForAfrin pic.twitter.com/YudgsbeyNP
— Cahida Dêrsim (@dersi4m) 27 января 2018 г.
His Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu denied those reports.
"A commission was scheduled to meet to discuss Leopard tanks, but the meeting was postponed. Meanwhile, no issue of freezing or canceling [the deliveries of Leopard tanks] has been raised," Cavusoglu said.
German police attacked us with tear gas & is blocking all roads #CologneForAfrin pic.twitter.com/hu7RoydQRz
— Cahida Dêrsim (@dersi4m) 27 января 2018 г.
UK
While protesting in London, Kurds have been calling on the government to stand by Afrin.
“We have urged the Labor Party to place pressure on Theresa May and the British government in order for them to pressure Erdogan to end the incursion,” a Kurdish protester said.
#AfrinNotAlone mass protest against terrorist Erdogan's attack on Kurds infornt of #bbc #London @mutludc pic.twitter.com/ixMGJFYmaM
— Feisal Bani (@Banirad1) 27 января 2018 г.
.@jeremycorbyn MOST of the Kurdish Community in London are here to say #DefendAfrin Where are you? pic.twitter.com/iy40XHW48x
— Defend Afrin! (@Hevallo) 27 января 2018 г.
London: Absolutely huge crowd in London right now!! Thousands have come out to condemn the Turkey's invasion of the Kurdish city of Afrin! #DefendAfrin
— Comrade Cudi (@The_Rojavans) 27 января 2018 г.
LONDON IS GATHERING! #DefendAfrin pic.twitter.com/v6X57nxYmR
— Defend Afrin! (@Hevallo) 27 января 2018 г.
massive crowd in london!!#DefendAfrin pic.twitter.com/kjAGbdT1i8
— hakan sandal (@hakansandal) 27 января 2018 г.
The French city of Rennes, as well as Swedish Stockholm has also joined the movement.
Manifestation en soutien aux kurdes et contre la politique de l’État turc à Rennes! Bravo amis! #DefendAfrin #Afrin #kurde #YPG #Rennes pic.twitter.com/3zOk0nS2M2
— Ako Hamarash (@ako_hamarash) 27 января 2018 г.
The banner in the middle says "Stop the turkish invasion of Afrin" #DefendAfrin #AfrinNotAlone #Stockholm pic.twitter.com/g23cildYwL
— Rojavakommittéerna (@realrojkom) 27 января 2018 г.
