SNA faction imposes new royalty on farmers in Syria’s Afrin
AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – A faction affiliated with the Turkish-backed armed opposition, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), imposed days ago a new royalty on farmers in the countryside of Afrin, northwestern Syria.
A local source told North Press that SNA’s Sultan Suleiman Shah Division (al-Amshat) imposed on farmers in the town of Sheikh Hadid (Shiye) a new royalty of $2.5 for each olive tree harvested at the end of the season in 2023.
This is a new royalty in addition to other royalties imposed at the beginning of the season three months ago. The faction already imposed $1,000 on every tractor, $500 on every vehicle, and $10,000 on each olive oil press in the region.
The source added that al-Amshat militants also cut down forest trees in the area. Individuals affiliated with the faction threaten and intimidate the locals and farmers via WhatsApp groups.
In August 2023, the US Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Suleiman Shah Brigade and the Hamza Division, as well as their leaders, Mohammad Hussein al-Jassem, his brother Walid, and Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr for committing serious human rights abuses against those residing in Afrin region, particularly the Kurds.
Afrin has been under the occupation of the Turkish forces and SNA factions, since March 2018 following the so-called “Olive Branch” military operation to push away the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) under the pretext of protecting “Turkish national security.”