The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Greedy for ransoms | Turkish-backed factions release three civilians and arrest others in Afrin countryside

Aleppo province: SOHR activists have reported that a joint patrol of Military Police and Turkish Intelligence services have arrested a civilian from Haj Qassem village in Ma’batli district in Afrin countryside on November 1, over charges of taking part in first-watch security during the “Autonomous Administration” control over Afrin city.

On the other hand, a group of the Military Police has arrested another civilian from Mist Ashour village in Ma’batli district over similar charges and they were brought in the detention centers in Ma’batli district.

On November 16, the Military Police released a civilian from M’amal Oushagy village in Rajo district after his family had paid ransom of 1,500 TL.

Moreover, Military Police released a civilian from Hakja village in Shaikh Hadid district, and another civilian from Kaila village in Bulbul district. But value of the ransom remained unknown.

It is worth noting that Turkish-backed factions arrest Afrin populations in order to collect ransoms for their release, over old charges such as taking part in compulsory first-watch shifts.