The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

“Euphrates Shield” area | Turkish proxies impose levies, cut down and sell trees as fire logs

Aleppo province: SOHR activists have reported that “National Army” factions have imposed levies of 100 to 500 US dollars on civilians coming from SDF-held areas in Manbij to allow them to enter “Euphrates Shield” area through Aoun Dadat checkpoint in Jarabulus countryside.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights sources, members of the “National Army” at Aoun Dadat checkpoint had appointed brokers to collect the levies, so that the National Army’s members would not be held accountable, if they were discovered.

In case that the passengers do not have enough money to pay the required levies, then they are not allowed to cross into “Euphrates Shield” area and are forced to stay in the open for days, despite the cold weather.

As a part of ongoing violations by Turkish-backed factions, Sultan Murad faction has cut down the rest forest and fruit-bearing trees in the faction-controlled part of Tadav village in Al-Bab city countryside.

Sultan Murad members have also felled olive trees and sold them as fire logs near Abo Al-Zandeen crossing.