The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Security chaos in Afrin | Violent clashes erupt among groups of al-Hamza Division

Aleppo province: SOHR activists have reported that violent clashes, with heavy and medium weapons and RPG shells, erupted between two groups of al-Hamza Division in Afrin city center and Julqan village in Jendires district.

 

According to SOHR activists, “Abu Jaber”, a commander in al-Hamza Division, has kidnapped the brother of “Alaa Junaid”, a commander in Liwaa al-Ghab which operates under the banner of al-Hamza Division, in Julqan village in Jendires district in Afrin countryside. Meanwhile, “Alaa Junaid” brought in military reinforcement to Kafr Shil and Julqan villages in Afrin countryside and launched a large-scale attack on al-Hamza Division’s headquarters in the those villages.

 

Moreover, Liwaa al-Ghab launched a violent attack on the headquarters of a group of al-Hamza Division led by “Hassanki Barir” in the former “Asayesh” building, during which medium and heavy weapons and RPG shells were used near civilians’ houses, which left casualties on both sides, amid a state of panic and fear prevailing among civilians.

 

It is worth noting that “Alaa Junaid” was accused of selling a Turkish armoured vehicle to the forces of the Russian security company “Wagner” in Libya, while the other two leaders, “Abu Jaber” and “Hassanki Barir”, were accused of running a drug manufacturing laboratory which was revealed in early October.