148 Deaths, Injuries in Syria During First Half of February
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Parties to the Syrian conflict continue to violate citizens’ rights even following the earthquake in the northwest of the country on February 6, which has killed and injured over 11.000 people to date. More than 3.000 buildings were either partially damaged or wholly destroyed.
The earthquake aggravated Syrian’s economic woes. Insecurity has been on the rise ever since, as security and ruling authorities are preoccupied with looting and seizing foreign aid. Even as bodies are still being retrieved from the rubble, violations are ongoing.
This report includes all human rights abuses committed since February 1 based on information obtained from a variety of sources as well as North Press’ own on-the-ground teams. Murder, abduction, arbitrary arrest, shelling and crimes related to the Islamic State (ISIS) all seem to be on the rise.
Forty-six civilians, including three children and two women, were killed across Syria; 24 others, including four children, were injured. Most deaths were committed either by unknown assailants or by parties to the Syrian conflict owing to lack of security and the possibility of evading punishment.
Five people, including a child, lost their lives through leftover landmines. About 17 others, including three children, were reportedly injured.
Turkish border guards killed four people and injured two others as they sought to cross the border into Turkey. Most Syrians seeking asylum on Turkish soil are beaten, tortured or fired upon by Turkish security forces.
Forty-seven military personnel were killed and 31 others were injured. Syrian government forces recorded 25 deaths and 22 injuries, while the Turkish-backed opposition factions recorded eight deaths and one injury. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) recorded 12 deaths and six injuries. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) recorded one death and two injuries.
Most military personnel were killed in random shelling. Nine posts of the Syrian government forces were shelled by HTS 11 times, killing 12 Syrian soldiers and injuring three.
Areas held by Turkish-backed opposition factions, also known as the Syrian National Army (SNA), were shelled nine times. HTS was shelled 14 times, claiming one life. Turkish forces shelled two different positions three times, including a drone strike in Kobani in which an SDF fighter was killed.
ISIS has ramped up operations in Syria following the quake. Eight attacks were carried out by its militants, killing 27 people, including a woman. Two other people were injured. Most attacks were conducted in Homs and Deir ez-Zor.
Supported by the US-led Global Coalition to Defat ISIS, the SDF carried out two security operations in which an ISIS leader was captured in Raqqa. An Iraqi leader and a Syrian militant were killed.
SNA factions continue to violate people’s rights even though the areas under their control have been hard-hit by the earthquake. Two people were killed by these factions and 18 others were arbitrarily arrested on charges of dealing with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Styria (AANES).
Around 146 trees were cut down by Turkish-backed militants. They have also confiscated relief aid sent to earthquake victims. Racial discrimination against the indigenous Kurdish population in Afrin continues.