Mosque Imam in Syria’s Afrin kidnapped by Turkey and opposition factions
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Turkish forces and the affiliated opposition factions kidnapped on Thursday a prominent preacher and imam of a mosque in the city center of Afrin.
“The 67-year-old Youssef Abdulaziz, the preacher and imam of Salah al-Din Mosque in the center of Afrin city, was kidnapped by members of the Turkish forces, accompanied by a large group of masked members,” a special source told Afrin Activists Network.
“Abdulaziz is from the village of Semalka of the Ma’abatli district, and is considered one of the most prominent clergy in the city of Afrin,” the source added.
“The Turkish forces cordoned off his house in al-Villat Street. His house was thoroughly searched and then he was taken to al-Ra’i prison. His fate is still unknown,” the source said.
The kidnapped Imam was the director of the Sharia school and a member of the Afrin Endowment Directorate. He works in the charity sector, according to the source.
A 23-year-old Khalil Mustafa from the village of Ba’adina in the Ma’abatli district was kidnapped on Saturday by the Turkish-backed factions.
“The Turkish-backed factions, the mercenaries of the Military Police, have kidnapped Khalil Mustafa’s brother, Ajar Mustafa, for two months, the sources said.