About 2 months after being closed .. “Awn Dadat” Crossing opened for passengers

The crossing point of “Awn Dadat” which is separating between Manbij and Jarabulus cities in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, was opened today after being closed for more than a month.

Sources confirmed to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that tens of vehicles entered the controlled areas of Turkey-loyal factions in the north of Aleppo, while the crossing was closed again hours later for unknown reasons, without announcing about a permanent work program.

It is noteworthy that there are hundreds of people are stuck in the controlled areas of the regime forces for more than a month due to the crossing’s closure.

Last Wednesday, it was announced about the opening of “Um Julud” Crossing between Manbij and Jarabulus for both passengers and cargoes, and a reliable source confirmed that one of the smugglers asked a citizen to pay 60000 SYL for a single person, in return for services would be provided to enter the controlled areas of Turkey-loyal factions, without making clear to whom this money goes.

It is noteworthy that “Awn Dadat” Crossing was closed in the face of passengers in September 2019, but it remained open for the movement of trade.

On November 13, SOHR pointed out that the crossing points between the controlled areas of Syrian regime and between the areas of Turkey loyal factions and the Emirs of Hayyat Tahrir Al-Sham, became necessary for financing these groups that dominate resources and destiny of the residents.

In Idlib province, the price of a 16-kilogram can of olive oil reaches about 18000 SYL, while its price exceeds 20000 SYL in the controlled areas of Turkey-loyal factions north of Aleppo, and in the regime-held areas it exceeds 25000 SYL.

Traders export Idlib’s oil to the controlled areas of the pro-Turkey factions via crossings as well as ties of traders with these factions that are hungry for money.

In the regime’s controlled areas, those who are in charge of such crossings collect varied sums of money exceed 500 SYL for each can, where the oil is delivered to liberated areas by blocking ways before small traders and open the way for a trader loyal to these factions and works with for their favor, thus, the benefit of such deals go only to him.

In Idlib, SOHR received information about the fact that oil trafficking takes place via a traders has ties and relations with one of Tahrir Al-Sham’s Emirs.

“Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham” and the “Salvation Government” created the “General Authority of Zakat” which forced farmers to pay 5% of their production under security accountable and penalty in the case of rejection.

The Syrian Observatory also monitored that the “General Authority of Zakat” distribute a portion of what it took from the farmers, but one of the beneficiary who is a fighter in the ranks of “Tahrir Al-Sham” said “they gave me a tank of oil with stinky smell”, in reference to the replacement of new oil with old or rotten oil.

Hayyaat Tharir Al-Sham had encircled Kafr Takharim city and shelled it with artillery after the locals dismissed commissions of the Zakat from olive compressors.

In connection to this, prices of livestock and meat witnessed significant increase in August 2019,due to the smuggling operations to the controlled areas of the Syrian regime, passing through Afrin area and the northern countryside of Aleppo, as well as other ways from the southern countryside of Aleppo towards Hama city.

These crossing points are considered sources of livelihood for the factions and war’s Emirs, that bring in billions of Syrian pounds every month, and sources to finance them in full view of the countries that back these factions.