Civilians in Syria’s Manbij face rights violations amid SNA control
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – Manbij, a city in northern Syria, has become the center of escalating human rights violations following its takeover by Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA) last week, local media reported on Sunday.
Reports indicate a surge in theft, arbitrary arrests, and property confiscation, raising alarm among residents and human rights organizations.
In response, Manbij residents and activists launched a citywide strike on Sunday, calling it the “Strike for Dignity,” to denounce the abuses committed by the Turkish-backed SNA factions.
Protesters demanded immediate action to address these violations and protect the city’s civilians.
On Dec. 11, a human rights organization detailed numerous infractions perpetrated by these factions, urging accountability for those involved.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) highlighted a “wave of abuses” sweeping Manbij. “Hundreds of civilians have been subjected to armed robbery, forced seizures, and threats by the National Army factions,” the SOHR stated.
Many of these accusations are based on alleged ties to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), despite no evidence of such links for many victims.
The reports also revealed that civilians have been forcibly evicted from their homes, and their properties arbitrarily confiscated. These abuses extend beyond individuals accused of SDF affiliations, targeting innocent residents with no involvement in the ongoing conflict.
Last week, the SNA factions launched an offensive on the city of Manbij, and committed theft and vandalism targeting the Kurdish population’s homes and killed injured fighters of the SDF.
On Dec. 11, Mazloum Abdi, Commander in Chief of the SDF, announced the withdrawal of SDF forces from Manbij. The move was aimed at facilitating a ceasefire across all Syrian territories and paving the way for a political process to shape the country’s future.