Detentions, kidnappings rising in Syria’s Afrin after Turkish occupation

Ali Rajab

Militant groups backed by Turkey continue to arrest and kidnap civilians in areas occupied by Turkey in northern Syria, especially in the town of Afrin.

Turkish troops and militias allied to them keep raiding homes and driving locals away and then demanding ransom.

They refuse to let the relatives of those kidnapped to know their whereabouts or the reasons for their kidnapping.

Since the beginning of this month, over 55 Afrin residents have been kidnapped by the Turkish troops and the militant groups allied to them, according to the Office for Documenting Turkish Violations in Northeastern Syria.

It said 78 locals were arrested and put in prison in September, including five women. The office added that other residents of the town were detained, even as it could not document their cases.

Civilians had also died of torture in the custody of the Turkish troops, the office said.

It added that it had documented the cases of 15 detainees who were tortured by the Turkish troops and the militias allied to them.

The stealing and confiscation of Afrin homes has become a common occurrence since the occupation of the town by Turkey, the office said.

It added that the cutting of olive trees had also become common in the town.

Turkey uses militant groups in harassing locals in the areas it occupies. It detains locals under the pretext of offering support to the Syria Democratic Forces.

Dozens of people who were arrested and put in jail by the Turkish army died in the prison, the office said.