SNA factions impose royalties on traders in Syria’s Afrin
AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – Turkish-backed opposition factions of the Syrian National Army (SNA) have imposed royalties on vehicles carrying olives and olive oil in areas surrounding Rajo and Sheikh Hadid in the northern countryside of Afrin, northwestern Syria.
“The SNA factions of Sultan Suleiman Shah [al-Amshat] and Hamza at the southern entrance of Rajo and the western entrance of Sheikh Hadid, in addition to the checkpoint at the Mabata intersection, are imposing royalties on all vehicles carrying olives or olive oil,” an individual subjected to these royalties told North Press.
“The royalties range from $15 to $20 per vehicle. The checkpoints affiliated with al-Amshat are imposing a higher percentage than others. Sometimes, drivers are forced to pay multiple royalties if they want to transport their olive or olive oil cargo to the markets in Afrin or Azaz,” added the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security concerns.
According to the source, many residents choose not to file complaints as they recognize the futility of doing so. Furthermore, they even fear that speaking out could potentially endanger their safety. Although the SNA’s Military Police and the Syrian opposition’s Interim Government have issued multiple circulars prohibiting the collection of any taxes, these directives have not been effectively implemented or enforced.