The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Amid anticipation for new developments in Afrin | Turkish forces to establish new military posts in Aleppo countryside

Aleppo province: SOHR sources have reported that Turkish forces are preparing for establishing new military posts near Deir Ballout and Al-Ghazzawiyah crossings in Aleppo countryside, attempting to control the security situation in the area and prevent the outbreak of potential infightings.

 

On the other hand, tense calm prevails in Afrin city and countryside in the north-western countryside of Aleppo, while members of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham are still stationed in the region, amid a state of anticipation for new developments in the incoming days.

 

Yesterday, SOHR sources reported that calm prevailed in Afrin days after HTS captures the city following fierce battles between HTS fighters and Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah and factions backed by Third Corps of National Army.

 

After HTS withdrew its shock troops towards Idlib and kept forces of the General Security Service and non-combat forces, the forces deployed at several checkpoints inside and around the city and in nearby villages.

 

Syrian Observatory activists also reported that HTS non-combat forces, which did not withdrew, were deployed in several villages in Afrin area under the banners of allied factions such as “Al-Sultan Suleiman Shah Division,” “Ahrar Al-Sham Movement” and “Al-Hamza Division.”

 

Many HTS members were deployed in Qarzihil village under the banner of Ahrar Al-Sham movement, and in Shirawa district, there were many HTS members operating under the banner “Al-Sham Corps,” and in Bulbul district under the banner of the factions “Ahrar Al-Sham Movement” and “Al-Hamza Division.”

 

Meanwhile, HTS continued to arrest its opponents in Afrin, mostly from Eastern Ghouta. HTS also continued to prevent faction members and even workers from harvesting and picking olive corps if the landowner does not exist in Afrin and stopped the levies imposed previously by the factions on farmers.

 

Local sources confirmed to SOHR that Afrin city, since HTS took control of it, has witnessed a marked decline in thefts and security chaos. Abuses by militiamen for fear of HTS have also declined.

 

On the other hand, Afrin residents complain about the deterioration of living conditions and the failure of humanitarian organisations to provide them with humanitarian assistance and aid.