The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Turkey’s intelligence and loyal factions arrest 12 civilians from Afrin for unknown reasons

Aleppo Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: the Syrian Observatory has been learned that Turkish-backed factions and Turkish Intelligence launched a campaign of raids and arrests yesterday in Afrin area in the north-western countryside of Aleppo.

The raiding forces arrested 12 Kurdish civilians including a female and a member in “Afrin Local Council”, from Afrin city and countryside. The arrested persons were taken to unknown destination without information so far about the reasons for arresting them.

In connection to this, SOHR activists reported that Ankara-backed factions continued to cut down trees throughout Afrin area, specifically Bolbol township, Sheikh Hadid, Maabatli, Raju and Jendires. Meanwhile, sources informed the observatory that tens of people held a vigil in Bolbol township in front of military headquarters there, calling for holding those who cut down trees accountable. This incident comes as a part of continuing violations by the Turkish-backed factions against the residents who remained in Afrin.

On January 18, SOHR sources reported that gunmen affiliated to the Turkish-backed faction “Suleiman Shah”, kidnapped five civilians from “Kakhrah” village of “Maabatli” township in Afrin countryside.

According to SOHR sources, the gunmen asked the relatives of two of kidnapped people for a ransom of 15,000 USD in return for releasing them. They threatened to kill the two civilians in the case of the ransom would not be delivered soon.