Asayish official says Turkey undermines anti-drug efforts in NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Drug control efforts in northeast Syria are compromised by Turkish warplanes, an official in the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) said on Monday.
Administrative in Anti-Drug Forces, affiliated with the Asayish, HassanKano, said in an exclusive statement to North Press that the drug control efforts are suppressed with various methods and tactics.
The Turkish government and the Turkish-backed armed opposition faction, aka the Syrian National Armey (SNA), are targeting anti-drug efforts in in northeast Syria, in an attempt to weaken our areas and undermine security and stability, Kano said.
He mentioned the Turkish airstrikes on Oct.5 against the Anti-Drug Forces where members were receiving training to enhance their professional and operational expertise.
The Turkish strike resulted in the killing of 29 members and the injury of 28 others of the Anti-Drug Forces.
He stressed that the drugs are manufactured outside the region and smuggled in through various smuggling means, since there are no drug manufacturing facilities within the region.
He further explained that Turkey and the SNA factions try very hard to smuggle drugs into northeast Syria using different methods, as well as they are responsible for the manufacturing and smuggling operations.
The Asayish official said that drugs are also smuggled to northeast Syria from government-held areas.
On June 26, on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Asayish issued a statement about the quantities of the seized drugs.
“We welcome international and regional initiatives aimed at combating drug-related issues and eradicating this detrimental phenomenon in northeast Syria,” Kano concluded.