SNA factions arrest Afrin IDPs fleeing Aleppo amid harsh conditions
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Displaced individuals from Afrin said on Monday that factions of the Turkish-backed armed opposition, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), launched a campaign of arrests targeting IDPs in the northern countryside of Aleppo, northwestern Syria.
Three IDPs told North Press that they spent the night outdoors in freezing temperatures, hoping for a safe corridor to evacuate.
They added that the SNA factions are preventing residents from leaving and have initiated arrests among the displaced amid fears of potential field executions.
Since Sunday afternoon, many Afrin IDPs have been attempting to flee the area due to the advancing presence of Turkish-backed SNA factions. However, efforts to leave have been blocked, leaving them stranded in harsh conditions.
Moreover, Mazloum Abdi, Commander in Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), reaffirmed their commitment to civilian protection.
He stated that they are actively engaging with all relevant parties in Syria to ensure the safe evacuation of displaced people from Tel Rifaat and the northern countryside of Aleppo, locally known as Shahba region, to secure areas in northeastern Syria.