Human rights organization documents 123 arrests in Turkish-held areas northern Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – During the two past months, Syrians for Truth and Justice Organization (STJ) documented the arrest of 123 people in the areas run by Turkey and the affiliated opposition factions in north and northwest Syria.
23 people were arrested in the Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad regions, whereas 100 others were arrested in Afrin, including women, the organization said on its official website on Wednesday.
“40 people out of 123 were released, while the fate of 83 people, including women, is still unknown,” according to the organization.
In its documentation, the STJ relied on its network of researchers present in those areas plus residents, eyewitnesses, and sources in the opposition factions.
Field researchers documented the arrest of at least 23 people in Sere Kaniye and Tel Abyad, including two women, by the factions of the Syrian National Army (SNA) during October and November.
10 detainees were set free in Sere Kaniye and Tel Abyad, while the fate of 13 people is still unknown.
The STJ also documented the arrest of at least 100 people, including 13 women, in 7 districts of Afrin by Turkish-backed opposition factions during October and November.
30 people from Afrin region were released while the fate of the rest is unknown, according to what published by the organisation.
22 people, including 6 women, were arrested in the city of Afrin, 41 people in Rajo district, including two women, four people were arrested in Bulbul district, and eight people in Maabatli district, including a woman. A man and a woman were arrested in Sharran district, the organization added.
In Jindires district, 18 people were arrested, including 3 women. As for the Sheikh al-Hadid district, five people were arrested, and all the detainees in the aforementioned districts were arrested by members of the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions.