Turkey-backed faction intensifies deforestation in Syria’s Afrin

Dozens of forest trees have been cut down in Afrin countryside, northwestern Syria, by Turkey-backed Hamzat armed faction on March, 2, 2025 – North Press
Dozens of forest trees have been cut down in Afrin countryside, northwestern Syria, by Turkey-backed Hamzat armed faction on March, 2, 2025 – North Press

AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – In recent days, militants of a Turkish-backed armed faction have cut down dozens of forest trees in Afrin region, northwestern Syria, local sources said on Sunday.

The sources added that militants of Turkey-backed Hamza Division have been actively logging trees in the Soghanakeh forest in the southern countryside of Afrin.

According to the sources, the militants used fuel-powered chainsaws to cut down the trees, which were then transported to the city center of Afrin con small trucks and sold as firewood.

The sources further confirmed that tree-cutting operations are occurring almost daily, with Hamza militants playing a major role in the ongoing destruction of Afrin’s forests.

By Siwar Hamo