Violations in Afrin | Turkish-backed factions fell trees in forests and bushes and sell logs in Idlib markets

Areas in north-western Syria region are experiencing a considerable hike of prices of fuel and other means of heating, as it is the case every winter. As the families living there are unable to secure routine means of heating, some of them are prompted to use unhealthy and unsafe means, resort to cutting down trees in the surrounding forests and bushes, or even trespass on others people’s properties.

 

In areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions in the northern countryside of Aleppo, factions stationed at the region’s checkpoints share the residents in the cutting down of trees in the forests and bushes in Sajju, Maydanki, Nabi Houri, amid lack of supervision.

 

According to local sources, logs and other wood are sold in markets for more than 100 USD per ton, at a time when a family that use only one wood-burner stove needs an average of two tons during winter, which is worth over 200 USD.

 

Meanwhile, Turkish-backed factions exploit the people’s need for getting logs for heating through banning the cutting down of trees. However, these factions allow investors and wood dealers to cut down and sell trees in return for money share.

 

Moreover, factions’ checkpoints allow rebels to enter forests and bushes in the area and collect their wood supply needed during winter or even to trade in them, on condition that the rebel who wants to enter these forests has to show the checkpoint’s members a document proving his affiliation to Turkish-backed factions.

 

Furthermore, Turkish-backed militiamen have felled olive, pomegranate and other fruit-bearing trees in order to sell them to centres known for buying logs in Afrin and selling them in Idlib markets where they get larger profits. Such actions are accomplished in agreement with Turkish-backed factions stationed at checkpoints in the region.