Attempted to sneak to Turkey | Ah*rar Al-Sharq*iyyah releases 15 abducted civilians for ransoms in tribal mediation
SOHR activists have reported that Ahrar Al-Sharqiya faction has released 15 civilians, including two women, after arresting some of them for more than two months, in exchange for ransoms paid by their relatives and after mediation by dignitaries of “Arab Al-Ghamr,” while the fate of ten others remains unknown.
According to Syrian Observatory activists, the faction had arrested a number of Syrian civilians, some from Al-Hasakah countryside, some from Aleppo, Aleppo’s countryside and Deir Ezzor, after attempting to cross into Turkish territory from “Peace Spring” area through routes used for “human smuggling.” The arrestees come from SDF-held areas.
One of the released civilians told SOHR that members of Ahrar Al-Sharqiyyah faction had forced them to record a videotape, a copy of which was obtained by SOHR, in which they were forced to praise the “smuggler” and to say that the road to Turkey was safe and there was no risk.
The man added that they were transported to a prison in Ras Al-Ain, and he was an inmate in a prison cell of only two metres, hosts 50 people, and there was very little food.
Speaking about the details of their arrest and release, the man said that he had entered through a smuggler from areas controlled by the SDF, into “Peace Spring” area and crossed the soil barrier 40 days ago at night.
The smuggled people entered “Peace Spring” area from Al-Aaliyah area and arrived at the outskirts of “Ras Al-Ain,” then he and seven people were handed over to other militiamen who helped them to enter Ras Al-Ain to sneak into Turkey. However, the smuggled people were arrested by Ahrar Al-Sharqiyyah members, the man added.
Ahrar Al-Sharqiyyah members forced the arrestees to contact their relatives to demand a ransom of 8,000 USD for their release.
The man pointed out that he entered Turkey with a group of people via smugglers after their families paid the ransom.
The smugglers brought them to an area inside Turkish territory where a car was waiting for them, and they were transported to the Turkish city of Urfa, after they had stolen the money and mobile in their possession.