Syrian refugees in Turkey began returning to their homes in Tal Abyad on Monday after Kurdish forces seized the border town in a major blow to the Islamic State group.
Some 200 men, women and children carrying their meagre possessions crossed back into Syria through the Turkish border post of Akcakale, a day after Kurdish fighters backed by Syrian rebels took Tal Abyad.
The fight for the town prompted some 23,000 people to flee into Turkey, but on Wednesday the first returnees said they were eager to get back home.
"I'm returning, I left my husband there. But I'm still very afraid of the bombs, how would someone not be afraid of bombs?" said Fahriye, a 40-year-old housewife.
"I'm also afraid of IS coming back," she said.
"I'll go and decide with my family whether we'll stay or not."
Mahmud, a farmer, said he too was eager to return home ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins on Thursday in Syria.
"It's not so good here... It's not like home," he told AFP.
"We want to spend our holy Ramadan in our homeland. We have been looking forward to it."
Fighters from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and Syrian rebel forces declared full control over Tal Abyad on Tuesday, less than a week after they began an advance on the militant-held town.
A key blow for IS
Analysts said their capture of Tal Abyad, aided by US-led air strikes, was the most significant defeat for IS in Syria so far.
The town was a key conduit for foreign fighters and supplies into IS-held territory in Syria and for exports of black market oil from militant-held fields.
The loss cuts a key IS supply line to the militants de facto Syrian capital of Raqa.
IS will now have to rely on border crossings much further west in neighbouring Aleppo province, adding several hundred kilometres (nearly 200 miles) to their supply lines.
The group still holds the Syrian side of the Jarablus crossing in Aleppo, which is closed on the Turkish side, and it has other informal border routes, but none that rival Tal Abyad.
Inside the town on Wednesday, life was beginning to return, said Sherfan Darwish, a spokesman for the Burkan al-Furat rebel group that fought alongside the YPG.
"Military operations have finished. Tal Abyad's civilians are returning," he told AFP.
"The local bakery in Tal Abyad was not functioning, so yesterday we restarted operations and we're distributing bread to the residents who are coming back."
He said Kurdish and rebel forces had carried out sweeps of the town to remove mines and car bombs left behind by IS militants.
"We're doing everything we can and providing security to the best of our abilities."
Darwish said similar sweeps were being conducted in recently captured villages near Tal Abyad, with villagers being asked to leave while searches were done.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said YPG and rebel forces had asked residents of 10 villages in the area to leave their homes while searches were carried out.
The orders come amid accusations by some Syrian rebel groups and Turkey that Kurdish forces are seeking to "ethnically cleanse" Tal Abyad and the surrounding region of Arabs and Turkmen.
The YPG and their Arab rebel allies dismiss the allegations, and Darwish said villagers were being asked to leave for "an hour or two... just enough so we can search the villages."
Before the Syrian conflict began in 2011, the Tal Abyad region was ethnically mixed, but Kurdish residents say they were largely expelled from the area by Arab rebel fighters in 2013.
Some Arab residents now have expressed concern about returning to their homes under Kurdish rule.
The YPG-led victory has prompted consternation in Ankara, which is concerned about rising nationalist sentiment among its own large Kurdish minority.
AFP
Wed Jun 17 2015
![Syria refugees return to border town after IS defeat Syria refugees return to border town after IS defeat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-06/71434544819_295x200.jpg)
Syrian refugees wait behind a fence prior to go back to the northern Syrian town of Tal Abyad at the Turkish border post of Akcakale, the province of Sanliurfa, on June 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / BULENT KILIC
![Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715247870_SohThianLaijpg.jpg)
Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM
Pemimpin perniagaan dan usahawan daripada golongan belia merupakan pemacu penting yang akan membentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia, kata Presiden Persekutuan Pekilang-Pekilang Malaysia.
AWANI Tonight: 16 July 2024
#AWANITonight with @Hafiz_Marzukhi
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
![Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716613114_TBsprm.jpg)
Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman
Kesemua individu juga perlu hadir ke pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sebulan sekali untuk melaporkan diri.
![KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719822088_ZambryAbdKadir.jpg)
KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat
KPT mengalu-alukan cadangan PAC berhubung pelaksanaan dan pemakaian Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024, kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan kementerian itu.
![SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720679430_AbdulKarimRahman.jpg)
SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan
Sepak takraw wanita berpasukan berkemungkinan akan digugurkan daripada senarai acara temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2024 berikutan jumlah penyertaan kurang daripada jumlah minimum yang ditetapkan.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702437730_maut.jpg)
Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok
Enam orang ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok, Thailand pada Selasa laporan media tempatan yang memetik polis Bangkok.
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721139141_TBJDUSHA.jpg)
Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman
Usha Vance, isteri kepada Senator J.D. Vance yang dipilih sebagai calon gandingan bekas presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Donald Trump awal minggu ini, telah meletakkan jawatannya di sebuah firma guaman,
![Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/71683779541_TBNAJIBRAZAK.jpg)
Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum
Berdasarkan sistem e-filing mahkamah, rayuan itu telah ditetapkan untuk pengurusan kes pada 7 Oktober ini.
![Tiga termasuk suami isteri didakwa sokong, miliki bahan pengganas IS Tiga termasuk suami isteri didakwa sokong, miliki bahan pengganas IS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61719293418_tbsuamiisteri.jpg)
Tiga termasuk suami isteri didakwa sokong, miliki bahan pengganas IS
Tiga individu termasuk sepasang suami isteri dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen pada Selasa atas pertuduhan menyokong dan memiliki bahan berkaitan kumpulan pengganas Islamic State (IS).
![Pekebun didakwa sokong pengganas ‘IS’, miliki barang berunsur keganasan Pekebun didakwa sokong pengganas ‘IS’, miliki barang berunsur keganasan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51718254023_pekebundidakwa.jpg)
Pekebun didakwa sokong pengganas ‘IS’, miliki barang berunsur keganasan
Seorang pekebun didakwa atas pertuduhan menyokong dan memiliki item berkaitan kumpulan pengganas Islamic State (IS), sejak tahun lalu.
![Seorang warga Indonesia didakwa miliki item berunsur keganasan Seorang warga Indonesia didakwa miliki item berunsur keganasan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-01/71580445449_TBxjpg.jpg)
Seorang warga Indonesia didakwa miliki item berunsur keganasan
Irwanzir yang bekerja sebagai buruh binaan di Balik Pulau didakwa melakukan kesalahan itu di belakang rumah yang beralamat di Hadapan Kanan, 352 Mukim C, Permatang Pasir Balik Pulau pada 6 Jan lalu.
![Bukan Islam di Indonesia tidak lagi digelar 'kafir' Bukan Islam di Indonesia tidak lagi digelar 'kafir'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-03/51551584549_IndonesianMuslim.jpg)
Bukan Islam di Indonesia tidak lagi digelar 'kafir'
Cadangan mengharamkan menyebutkan warga Indonesia bukan Islam sebagai kafir tidak menghapus istilah itu dalam Al-Quran atau hadis, sebaliknya ia sikap teologis NU mengenai isu itu ketika ini.
![Lapan pengunjung pasar raya jadi tebusan lelaki bersenjata Lapan pengunjung pasar raya jadi tebusan lelaki bersenjata](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-08/61472535700_BeritaTerkini.jpg)
Lapan pengunjung pasar raya jadi tebusan lelaki bersenjata
Seorang lelaki bersenjata telah menggunakanbeberapa pengunjung sebagai tebusan di sebuah pasar raya di Trebes, di barat daya Perancis.
![Polis tangkap sembilan suspek terlibat aktiviti Daish Polis tangkap sembilan suspek terlibat aktiviti Daish](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-08/51471060472_daish.jpg)
Polis tangkap sembilan suspek terlibat aktiviti Daish
Dalam operasi di sekitar Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Sabah dan Kelantan itu, tiga warga asing dan enam rakyat Malaysia yang berusia antara 17 hingga 56 tahun ditahan.
![Daish 'semakin agresif' - Cawangan Khas Bukit Aman Daish 'semakin agresif' - Cawangan Khas Bukit Aman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-07/41469260709_SuspekDaish.jpg)
Daish 'semakin agresif' - Cawangan Khas Bukit Aman
Cawangan Khas Bukit Aman beri amaran, kumpulan pengganas Daish 'semakin agresif' dalam menyebarkan ideologi mereka.
![Militan Daish jual 'hamba seks' dalam talian Militan Daish jual 'hamba seks' dalam talian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/71464499539_sexslave.jpg)
Militan Daish jual 'hamba seks' dalam talian
Menjual hamba seks atas talian oleh kumpulan militan Daishkini semakin mendapat perhatian warga dunia. Laman media sosial kini menjadi fokus mereka untuk menawarkan perkhidmatan ini.
![PM sedih dengan insiden letupan di Istanbul PM sedih dengan insiden letupan di Istanbul](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-01/81452653434_950x600.jpg)
PM sedih dengan insiden letupan di Istanbul
Datuk Seri Najib Razak melahirkan rasa dukacita dengan insiden pengeboman di Istanbul, Turki semalam yang telah meragut sekurang-kurangnya 10 nyawa.
![Kes anggota komando miliki penerbitan berkaitan militan dipindah ke KL Kes anggota komando miliki penerbitan berkaitan militan dipindah ke KL](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-06/41434978586_MAHKAMAHTINGGIKL.jpg)
Kes anggota komando miliki penerbitan berkaitan militan dipindah ke KL
Mohd Abu Haliff Shah Abu Bakar sebelum ini didakwa memiliki sehelai kemeja-T yang mempunyai kaitan dengan kumpulan militan Daish pada 12 Nov lepas.