SNA cuts down trees in Syria’s Afrin to sell as firewood
Afrin, Syria (North Press) – A military faction affiliated with the Turkish-backed armed opposition, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA) cut down hundreds of trees in the town of Jindires in the countryside of Afrin, northwestern Syria, to sell as firewood during winter.
A local source told North Press that the Samarkand Brigade, affiliated with the SNA, stationed in the village of Kafr Safra in the countryside of Jindires, carried out extensive logging in one of the small forests in the village.
The source added that the faction completely cut down the trees in an area that extends over more than 30 hectares, turning it into a barren land.
In a related context, another source said that SNA factions continue to cut down trees in the nearby forests overlooking Maydanki Lake for the second consecutive year.
On May 31, North Press published photos showing the barren mountains and forests overlooking the lake due to unjust logging.
Afrin has been under the occupation of the Turkish forces and their affiliated SNA since March 2018 following the so-called “Olive Branch” military operation to push away the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) under the pretext of protecting “Turkish national security.”
After the occupation of Afrin, thousands of trees have been cut down by the SNA factions, according to media and human rights reports.