The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Ongoing violations | National Army factions impose levies on people in Bulbul district in Afrin countryside

Aleppo province: As Turkish-backed factions in Afrin continue their violations against the civilians in Afrin and with the approach of the olive harvest season, SOHR activists have reported that “Soqour Al-Sham faction, led by a man know by his initials as “H.K.” and which impose control over nearly ten villages in Bulbul district, Afrin countryside, north-west of Aleppo, has imposed large levies on the farmers as olive harvest season approached.

Soqour Al-Sham faction has imposed levies of 20% on the crop of olive oil, and the faction appointed delegates in the oil press to collect the levies directly from the farmers.

Meanwhile, Al-Sultan Murad faction led by Abu Walid Al-Azza has imposed levies on the farmers in areas under the control of Al-Sulatn Murad faction in Bulbul district.

The faction has imposed levies of 15 % of olive oil on every farmer and levies of 25 % on olive press owners.

The faction also forces the farmers to employ workers only through the faction delegates and not appoint any workers from areas which are not under their control.

In August 2022, SOHR activists documented nine incidents of imposition of levies on civilians by National Army factions and military police; They are as follows:

Five incidents related to the imposition of levies in return for the release of detainees.

Four incidents of imposing levies ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 USD on farmers and constructors in return for allowing them to construct residential buildings.