Ongoing violations | Turkish-backed factions continue to sell and lease civilians’ properties and impose levies in Afrin

Aleppo province: As Turkish-backed factions continue their violation against people in Afrin, illegally selling civilians’ properties and systematically cutting down olive trees, SOHR activists reported that members of Military Police have sold two houses in Al-Ashrafiyah neighbourhood in Afrin city for 2000 USD per house, and rented shops for 400 Turkish lira. This shop was originally owned by a man from Arandah village.

Moreover, A commander of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” faction has imposed a levy of 1000 USD on all building contractors in Al-Ashrafiyah district in Afrin city which is controlled by “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” faction.

Meanwhile, members of Al-Hamza Division have cut down nearly 35 olive trees, some entirely and others partially, and those trees were owned by a man from Kafr Shil village in Afrin city centre.

On April 30, SOHR activists reported that members of Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyah felled over 90 olive trees near Astir village in Afrin countryside to sell them as fire logs.

Moreover, members of Al-Amshat faction uprooted over 50 olive trees in Shaikh Al-Hadid district to sell them as logs, and to build houses on the agricultural lands.

Turkish-backed factions in Afrin continue trading with civilians’ properties through illegal selling and taking control over civilians’ houses, where SOHR activists reported that members of Ahrar Al-Sharqiyah took over a civilian’s house in Afrin neighbourhood and turn it into military headquarters.

Moreover, members of Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyah faction sold two houses in Al-Ashrafiyah neighbourhood for 1,000 – 1,500 USDs for each house.