Ongoing violations | National Army factions continue clamping down on residents of Afrin and stealing their properties and felling their own olive trees
Aleppo province: National Army factions continue practising the systematic policy of clamping down on people in Afrin by threatening them with death and arrest, seizing and selling their properties and cutting down their own olive trees.
Threats of killing and arrests
On January 27, members of Al-Sham Corps threw a grenade into the courtyard of the house of a resident of Basufan village, Sherawa district, Afrin countryside to terrorise the man’s family and force them to leave home and properties, causing material damage only.
It is worth noting that members of Al-Sham Corps faction had shot the civilian’s son in 2021 for refusing to leave his home, seriously injuring him.
On January 25, members of the Ahrar Al-Sham Movement threatened a resident of Kokan village in the countryside of Jendires district with death and arrest, as the civilian had lodged a complaint against the faction with the National Army Committee for the Restitution of Rights. Members of the Ahrar Al-Sham Movement threatened to kill the civilian’s wife in case the complaint was not waived.
Meanwhile, “Al-Sultan Suleiman Shah” faction, known as “Al-Amshat,” threatened a civilian, who is from Raju district in Afrin countryside, with arrest on charges of “dealing with the former Autonomous Administration,” as the civilians demanded to restore his own house, which is seized by a member of Al-Amshat.
Stealing and selling civilians’ properties
In Ain Hajar village in Afrin countryside, members of Jaiysh Al-Islam faction robbed and stole a motorcycle and cell phone of a resident of the village by force of arms, blocking his way near the village while he was on his way to buy bread and threatening to kill him if he filed a complaint against them.
Moreover, members of various national army formations sold nine flats in Afrin for an amount ranging from 800 and 1,200 USD each. The flats are originally owned by five residents of Afrin and its environs.
Stealing the livelihood of the residents of Afrin by cutting and selling olive trees
Members of Al-Sultan Murad faction cut down nearly 25 olive trees in Baarafa village in Sharan district of Afrin countryside.
Members of Al-Sultan Murad faction also cut down nearly 200 fruitful trees in the vicinity of Deir Sawan village in Sharan district of Afrin countryside to sell them as fire logs for heating.
Members of Al-Hamza faction also cut down nearly 20 olive trees in Talf village in Afrin countryside.