The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Revealed | Tens of trucks enter regime-held areas daily under “National Army” protection, via crossings used for smuggling in north-eastern Aleppo

Smuggling operations are escalating from areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions in the north-eastern countryside of Aleppo to regime-held areas.

 

Syrian Observatory activists have monitored tens of trucks carrying goods, foodstuffs and cattle heading to Al-Sukariyyah village in Al-Bab countryside, north-east of Aleppo. The trucks crossed later into regime-held areas, under protection by members of “Al-Hamzah Division”.

 

This development comes in the wake of ongoing and daily smuggling operations via crossings under supervision of military factions operating under the banner of the “National Army”. Such crossings are deployed along the frontline with areas under the control of the Syrian regime and Syria Democratic Forces in the eastern and north-eastern countryside of Aleppo.

 

On May 13th, Observatory activists monitored dozens of trucks crossing into regime-controlled areas from Al-Sukkaria village in countryside of al-Bab city, north-east of Aleppo, overseen by Al-Hamza division.

 

Meanwhile, several foodstuffs and cattle were smuggled via Aoun al-Dadat crossing, in addition to smuggling people and wanted persons from Nubul and Al-Zahra areas to areas held by the rebel factions.

 

Moreover, “Al-Hamza division” controls the crossings which are used for smuggling in al-Bab, while “Ahrar al-Sharqiya” controls the crossings in Jarabulus. It is worth noting that “Sultan Murad” division and the “Liwaa Al-Shamal” are involved in these actions. Shipments are being smuggled for large sums of money exceeding $1,000 per truck, which ignites resentment among the rest of factions there.