“Human smuggling” | Al-Hamza Division commanders help civilians to sneak to Turkey in return for large sums of money
Smuggling business continues between regime-controlled areas and areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions under supervision of commanders of Al-Hamza Division, a prominent faction operating under the banner of the Turkish-backed “National Army”.
According to a member of Al-Hamza Division nicknamed “Abu Faysal” who help people to smuggle themselves from Aleppo city to Al-Sukariyyah village in Al-Bab countryside in return for money, systematic “human smuggling” take place under full supervision by Al-Hamza Division, led by a commander in charge of Al-Sukariyah village nicknamed “Abu Mariam” who help regime army defectors and suspected wanted by regime security services to sneak from the regime-held city of Aleppo to Idlib city and countryside controlled by Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham, through “Euphrates Shield” and “Olive Branch” areas, in return for large sums of money.
“Abu Faysal” said that regime army defectors paid 1,000 to 1,200 USD to be transported from Aleppo city to Idlib city through routes used for smuggling, while young men who evaded mandatory conscription had to paid 650 to 750 USD. The faction also took 600 to 700 USD to allow civilians to move from Aleppo to Idlib through these routes.
After civilians and ex-soldiers arrive safely to “Euphrates Shield” areas, “Abu Faysal” sends pictures and video clips to their families, so that they become sure that their sons have not been arrested or punished by regime forces or opposition factions.
“Abu Faysal” reported that there are two ways for smuggling people to Turkey, one of which is dangerous and trips through a route that smugglers use costs 800 USD each. The other way is to obtain permissions by Turkish Border Guards “Jandarma” in return for large sums of money approximate 3,500 USD each to allow military vehicles carrying people who want to sneak to Turkey to cross into Turkish territory.
In December 30, SOHR sources reported the death of the leader of a group of Turkish-backed Al-Hamza Division and the injury of eight other members following clashes among the faction’s members in Tafrea village in Al-Bab countryside, east of Aleppo.
The clashes erupted after disagreements over smuggled goods revenue-sharing in the area near the frontlines with regime forces and lasted for hours.
It is worth noting that armed groups of Al-Hamza division have been involved in the smuggling of people and goods from and into regime-held areas in Wadi Al-Joaa area in Al-Tafraa village.