Turkish-backed faction continues excavations in Syria’s Afrin
AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – The Sultan Suleiman Shah Division (al-Amshat), affiliated with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), continues its excavation operations in the archaeological hill in the countryside of Afrin Region, northwest Syria.
An exclusive source told North Press that Sultan Murad faction, affiliated with the SNA, started the excavation operations on the hill of Ain Diba, east of the village of Ain Hajar in the countryside of Afrin, in early 2019 and continued for about two years.
The source added that the excavations were resumed seven months ago by the al-Amshat Division after gaining control over the village of Ain Hajar. They utilized heavy machinery and equipment, resulting in a complete alteration of the hill’s features.
The source confirmed the continuation of the excavation operations until the present moment, as the faction deployed guards near the hill to prevent any approach.
The excavations are supervised by the brother of the leader of al-Amshat, Muhammad al-Jassem, known as Abu Amsha, the source noted.
Previously, several antiquities were discovered and taken away in a closed small truck towards the town of Sheikh Hadid, northwest the city of Afrin.
The excavation process is continued amid ongoing human rights violations, related to demographic change of the area and the destruction of its archaeological hills and sites, the source noted.
Furthermore, the militants of Elite Army/Jaysh al-Nukhba, affiliated with the Sultan Murad faction, conducted excavation operations in the vicinity of the Nebi Houri archeological site in the countryside of Sharran district, in Afrin countryside, in late March of 2022.
Since gaining control of the Afrin Region in March 2018, the Turkish-backed SNA factions have deliberately pursued a strategy of demographic change in the region, expanding their violations to include the excavation and destruction of hills and archaeological sites.
Afrin has been under the occupation of Turkey and the SNA factions since 2018 following a military operation dubbed “Olive Branch” against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) under the pretext of preserving Turkey’s national security.
The operation caused the displacement of about 300,000 of the original inhabitants of the Kurds of Afrin who have been taking shelter in 42 villages and five camps in Aleppo northern countryside, locally known as Shahba region, since then.