Syrian families face tight inspections at Afrin checkpoint
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syrian government security forces set up on Wednesday a checkpoint in Basouta village, Afrin countryside, where displaced families returning from Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods were subjected to strict inspections, according to local media reports.
The independent news network “Afrin Now,” which covers field developments in the region, reported that the checkpoint was established by Syrian Internal Security forces. Families arriving from Aleppo were stopped and searched before being allowed to continue their journey.
The displacement followed heavy bombardment by government forces targeting residential areas in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh. Witnesses confirmed that dozens of civilians were killed or injured in the escalation, which began Tuesday and intensified on Wednesday.
Residents described the situation as dire, with continuous shelling forcing families to flee toward Afrin. “We left everything behind because the shelling did not stop,” one displaced resident told the network. “At the checkpoint, they searched us thoroughly before letting us pass.”
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which governs nearby territories, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining security and protecting civilians amid ongoing clashes. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), operating in coordination with AANES, continue to play a central role in stabilizing areas under their control, contrasting with the instability witnessed in Aleppo.