Dispute over sharing pistachio crop | Clashes between regime forces and loyalists leave many injured

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has monitored a dispute between regime forces and loyalists. The dispute erupted among the leaders of these groups over the sharing of pistachio trees in southern Idlib countryside and the northern countryside of Hama. The clashes left three members of those groups dead.

The members also set the land of the fruit trees on fire after the growth of the grass in the land, after the displacement of their owners.

On July 4, reliable SOHR sources reported that “Al-Baath party” branch in Mahradah looted farmlands and the harvest of pistachio in Kafr Zita city in the northern countryside of Hama. The owners and inhabitants of these lands have abandoned them with the start of the recent military operations by Russian and regime forces last year.

According to SOHR sources, “Al-Baath party” branch in Mahrada intends to allocate the revenues of the pistachio harvest for the families of regime soldiers and loyalists who have been killed in earlier operations.

This decision comes as part of the “ruling party” efforts to strip the oppositionists of the right of usufruct, rent revenue, and sharecropping, and give them to regime soldiers, loyalists and Shabiha (regime loyalists who abuse power and do illegal actions for the benefit of the regime). SOHR believes that such practices will create never-ending rivalry and revenge among people each others.

Moreover, Al-Baath party’s approach violates the “Constitution”, especially after the repeal of Article 8 which stipulates that “Al-Baath party is the leading party of the state and society”.