Turkish border guards assault Syrians in Afrin countryside

AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – On Sunday, a group of Syrians were assaulted by the Turkish border guards in countryside of Afrin, northwest Syria, while attempting to cross the border into Turkey.

A local source told North Press that the Turkish border guards assaulted more than 20 people, including women and children, while trying to cross the border next to the village of Hajj Bilal at the town of Jindires, Afrin.

The Turkish border guards used steel pipes to beat up the group and detained them for hours before handing them over to the Military Police of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) in Afrin, the source added.

The source stated that the Military Police taxed each member of the group with 250 Turkish liras ($10) in exchange of their freedom. In addition, they forced them to sign documents stipulating that they will not try to cross the border again.

People in northwest Syria take perilous routes to cross the Turkish border, with the aim of reuniting with their families or landing a job to secure a living, particularly in light of the poor living conditions in the region.

The number of people injured by Turkish border guards in July has exceeded 21, including four women, amid ongoing human rights violations against civilians crossing towards Turkey.

As of the first half of 2023, the number of affected Syrian asylum seekers has reached 452 individuals, including 20 children and 26 women. Tragically, 25 people were killed and 121 others were injured during direct targeting by live bullets while attempting to cross the Syrian-Turkish border. In addition, Turkish border guards have assaulted and beat 306 individuals and have used excessive force to prevent them from crossing the border.