‘Under the Olive Branch’: Understanding the Turkish Occupation of Afrin, North Syria. An Inductive Thematic Analysis of Anadolu Agency and Hawar News Agency’s Publications on Afrin
In March 2018, the Turkish armed forces, together with the Syrian National Army, seized control of the Syrian district of Afrin bordering Turkey as a result of the military offensive called 'Operation Olive Branch'. This takeover marked the beginning of Turkish military rule of Afrin, which has now extended over six years. Afrin’s case is a significant example of Turkey's broader forei