AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – As the olive harvest season approaches in the Kurdish-region of Afrin, northwestern Syria, economic offices affiliated with Turkish-backed armed factions have reemerged, only months after their declared dissolution and integration into what was called the “New Syrian Army.”
The local administration, led by Masoud Battal, had pledged to end the factions’ influence and close all military and security headquarters. However, recent developments indicate the opposite, as economic offices have resumed activity across much of Afrin.
Extortion and property seizure
Local residents told North Press that the offices are once again imposing levies on olive production, confiscating properties of displaced persons and expatriates, and refusing to recognize legal powers of attorney or official ownership documents.
Particularly controversial is the return of former economic leaders. In Bulbul district, north of Afrin, Abu Yamen al-Fa’ouri, deputy economic officer of the Sultan Murad faction, was seen touring villages such as Qurna, Dayr Sawwan, and Maydanki. He reportedly warned that returnees would be barred from managing their lands and ordered local mukhtars to prepare lists of their names.
Residents of Dayr Sawwan said al-Fa’ouri alternated between invoking the authority of the “New Syrian State” and issuing veiled threats, leaving communities fearful ahead of the harvest.
Hamza and other factions reactivate offices
The Turkish-backed Hamza Division has also reinstated its economic offices across Bulbul, Rajo, Jindires, and Afrin.
Field commander Tareq al-Jouri told locals that his group, now operating under the Ministry of Defense, remained “responsible for the crops.” He confirmed that existing taxes would stay in place and that military checkpoints would be set up to “protect and control” the harvest.
Other factions—including al-Mu’tasim Billah, Faylaq al-Majd, Ahrar al-Sharqiya, Mohammed al-Fateh, and al-Muntasir Billah—have also resumed economic activity.
In the village of Sariya of Mabata district, al-Muntasir Billah’s officer Abu Aboud told residents that returnees would not be allowed to oversee their lands.
Uncertainty around Amshat faction
The situation in Sheikh Hadid (Shiye) remains unresolved following clashes between the Turkish-backed al-Amshat faction and General Security forces of the Syrian transitional government. Locals fear al-Amshat may also reimpose levies, despite ongoing negotiations with Military Security.
Community leaders say their complaints to the administration have gone unanswered. A notable from Rajo district, Abu Sheikho, said he reminded Masoud Battal of earlier promises to end factional control, but reality on the ground contradicts official assurances.
The matter was further complicated when the General Security official in Rajo, confronted by locals about the Hamza faction’s practices, told them to address their problems directly with the faction, signaling the absence of any real oversight role by official institutions.
Afrin’s olive season—the backbone of its economy—now faces renewed threats of extortion and seizure, with residents warning that without genuine oversight, factional dominance will persist despite repeated pledges of reform.
Reporting by Siwar Hamo