“Peace Spring” areas | Turkish-backed factions steal crops and agricultural equipment, asking Christians to pay fine for their return

SOHR sources say that Turkish-backed factions continue to steal agricultural crops and project equipment in the areas of “Peace Spring”. Observatory sources say that members of Al-Mutassim Brigade, which controls the area of Daoudia Mala Suleiman in rural Abu Racine, stole diesel engines that were used to extract water and watering agricultural projects.

The stolen items are being collected in an agricultural project owned by an immigrant Christian for years, and his project is run by someone who colludes with Turkish-backed factions. They also collect wheat crops from the areas of “Peace Spring” to sell them in Turkey.

Reliable sources have told the Syrian Observatory that members of the Turkish-backed factions are asking the owners of these agricultural projects from the Christian community to return to their villages in exchange for a fine, which is done through intermediaries from the locals, while the owners of land and agricultural projects refuse to return, fearing for their lives.

Last month, SOHR sources reported that Ankara-backed factions continued to seize the agricultural crops of people in Al-Hasakeh countryside. Crops were seized in the villages of Ba’irir, Qasimiyah and Mahmoudia, located in the area between Abu Rasin (Zarkan) and Tal Tamer. This comes as part of the ongoing violations in many forms, whether against the remaining residents of those areas, or by looting and seizing the property and livelihoods of those who have been forced to flee.