Turkish-backed groups continue arresting civilians in Afrin

"16 people were released after paying ransoms, while the rest remain in the factions' custody so far."

Wladimir van Wilgenburg 2022/03/06 20:54

Turkish-backed Syrian fighters of the Sultan Murad brigade are pictured during a military show in the Afrin region in the rebel-held northern countryside of Syria's northern Aleppo province on Nov. 17, 2020 (Photo: Bakr Alkasem/AFP).

Syria Afrin Sultan Suleiman Shah Division Sultan Murad Division

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Turkish-backed groups in Syria's Kurdish-majority region of Afrin have carried out 70 kidnappings and arbitrary arrests of civilians in February, including a child and four women, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported.

"16 people were released after paying ransoms, while the rest remain in the factions' custody so far," read the SOHR report published on Wednesday.

Furthermore, the Syrian press agency North Press reported on Sunday that the Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sham faction arrested Muhammad Sido, from the Rajo district, on the pretext of dealing with the former Autonomous Administration.

Sido was arrested in the village of Kafr Mazzeh in the Sharran district.

Bassam al-Ahmad, the executive director of Syrians for Truth and Justice, told Kurdistan 24 that arrests continue.

"We are also struggling to tell people what's going on," he said. "The current situation is a good opportunity for the Turkish-backed factions. All media is now focused on Ukraine."

"Even before Ukraine, the media never cared about Afrin."

In late February, the leader of the Turkish-backed Sultan Suleiman Shah Division, Muhammad al-Jassem, also known as Abu Amsha, was discharged as a result of corruption allegations and human rights violations. His group controlled Afrin's Sheikh Hadid.

He was also in the past accused of sexual violence against women.

The website Syrian Observer reported on Thursday that Abu Amsha was replaced by Abdel Moneim Naasan, leader of the Sultan Murad division.

But al-Ahmad said this doesn't change anything. The Sultan Murad group has also been accused of human rights violations.

"What they are trying to tell the international community is that 'this is the only bad person,' and this is how they can try to protect civilians in Afrin and prevent human rights abuses," he said. "This is a very dangerous game."

Al-Ahmad also pointed out that Abu Amsha was not jailed or held accountable.

"He just left the area for two years without any accountability," he said. "This is just a propaganda effort."

Furthermore, violations by other groups continue.

Turkish-backed factions have occupied Afrin since March 2018, when the Turkish army launched a cross-border offensive against the People's Protection Units (YPG).

These groups have also been accused of several human rights abuses and war crimes, including by UN bodies.