Insecurity, horror sweep Syria’s Afrin – human rights organization
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – The city of Afrin, in the northern countryside of Aleppo, witnesses a state of insecurity and horror after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) took control of the region, according to Human Rights Organization-Afrin.
Ibrahim Sheikho, spokesperson for Human Rights Organization-Afrin, said Afrin witnesses a state of insecurity and panic after the HTS took control of the region, following a clashes broke out between the HTS and Third Legion, an armed bloc of Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).
“Thefts are still continuing,” although the HTS made promises not to harm population and trespass on their property, Sheikho added.
The city and its countryside witnessed fighting between the HTS along with Sultan Suleiman Shah (al-Amshat) faction and al-Hamza Division on one hand, and Levant Front along with Third Legion and Ahrar al-Sham faction on the other.
On October 13, the HTS took full control of the city of Afrin, following the withdrawal of Third Legion from the city toward the city of Azaz.
Two days ago, the HTS seized two gas stations, one of in Afrin and the second on the way of the village of Kafr Jannah, in addition to the house of Mustafa Muhammad, in the village of Shitka, in Mabatli district in Afrin, and turned it into a military headquarters, according to Sheikho.
Sheikho said that the Sultan Suleiman Shah (al-Amshat) faction and al-Hamza Division carry out human rights violations, such as imposing royalties and stealing crops of olive that is considered a main source of livelihood for residents of Afrin.
Sheikho went further saying that both parties are “two sides of the same coin,” as they are run by Turkish intelligence with the aim to displace people from their areas.
Recently, residents of Azaz north of Aleppo expressed their rejection of the entry of an HTS military convoy to the city.
Afrin now is cloaked in black and it is like an explosive belt extending from the northern countryside of Aleppo to Idlib, the spokesperson added.
On October 15, the director of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Rami Abdulrahman, said that the entry of the HTS to Afrin came after a Turkish green light, as Turkey intends to pave the way for a possible reconciliation with Syrian government.
Observers on the Syrian issue considered that “the lack of firm Turkish position is evidence that Turkey is saying yes to HTS operation, paving the way for the latter to enter to border areas with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).”
He described the HTS as “a faction of extremist organizations,” urging international community to intervene to resolve the conflict.
“Turkey has allowed the HTS to enter its borders, which is good evidence that Turkey is the first supporter of terrorism,” he added.
Due to the continuous fighting among the battling factions, panic and insecurity sweep the region.
Afrin, a Kurdish city in the north of Aleppo, has been under the occupation of Turkey since March 2018 following a military operation called “Olive Branch” which resulted in the displacement of about 300.000 people of the original inhabitants of the city and its countryside who have been taking shelter in 40 villages and five camps in Shahba region (Aleppo northern countryside) since then.