Human rights report tracks ongoing abuses against Kurds in Afrin

The indigenous Kurdish population in the Afrin region continues to face violations at the hands of Turkish-backed members and armed groups integrated into the Interim Government's Ministry of Defense, according to the latest report issued by the Afrin Human Rights Organization.

According to the report, the documented violations included arbitrary arrests, the seizure of homes belonging to displaced residents, extortion and the imposition of illegal levies, the confiscation of private property and agricultural lands, as well as practices described as part of a policy aimed at altering the region's demographic composition.

The report said that armed clashes broke out on June 4 between members of the Turkish-backed Sultan Suleiman Shah Division (al-Amshat), integrated into the Interim Government's Ministry of Defense, inside a confiscated house in the village of Anqala in Sheikh al-Hadid (Shia) district, which belongs to the resident Mostafa Ibesh Hamo. The clashes reportedly stemmed from a dispute over the theft of irrigation equipment and pipes belonging to local residents.

The stolen items included approximately 350 meters of irrigation pipes valued at around US $1,000, owned by the citizen Izzat Mostafa Bakr. Around 90 meters of pipes were also reportedly stolen from another well belonging to his uncle, Serbest Izzat Bakr, in addition to 60 meters of pipes owned by Newzat Izzat Bakr.

According to the organization, security authorities failed to intervene despite hearing gunfire and receiving reports of the incident at the local Public Security Center.

In a separate incident, the report said two minors, aged 12 and 14, were accused of stealing 10,000 Turkish lira (approximately US $2,170) from a shop owned by the citizen Khalil Mostafa in the village of Anqala on June 10. Other complainants also alleged that one of the two boys had been involved in the theft of water pipes and other personal property.

The report added that the families of the two minors accused of theft continue to occupy the house of Mostafa Sheikh Zariyeh in the village of Anqala, in Shia district, as of the time the report was published.

It criticized the handling of the case by the security authorities, alleging that they had failed to pursue the investigation or recover the stolen property, while siding with those accused of harming local residents.

The report also accused a man identified as "Abo Bilal," who it said was formerly affiliated with the Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sharqiya faction, of imposing illegal levies on Kurdish residents in the town of Jenders without any legal basis. It further alleged that he threatened those who objected by warning that he would file security reports against them, as he enjoyed the backing of Turkish intelligence.

According to several local residents cited in the report, Abo Bilal also provoked civilians by shouting insults and displaying slogans associated with the ultranationalist Grey Wolves movement alongside the Turkish flag. Residents subsequently filed complaints against him with the Public Security authorities and are awaiting legal action.

In the same context, the report noted that Munir al-Hamad, a former member of the economic office of the Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sharqiya faction, now integrated into the Interim Government's Ministry of Defense, has been forcibly collecting rent from shop owners in Afrin despite repeated objections and complaints. It added that those complaints have so far resulted in no concrete action, alleging that he, too, is protected by Turkish intelligence, which claims half of the extorted payments.

The report mentioned that the individual currently resides in Deir ez-Zor after joining one of the army's military units, while his wife continues to occupy the confiscated house.

In Rajo district, particularly in the town of Maydan Akbas and the surrounding villages, the organization documented the continued seizure of agricultural lands and property belonging to local residents and expatriates. It said groups affiliated with the Turkish-backed Faylaq al-Sham, which has been integrated into the Interim Government's Ministry of Defense, have been cultivating and exploiting privately owned farmland without the consent of its owners.

Among the documented cases was the forcible seizure of farmland belonging to Mohamed Ibrahim, a Syrian expatriate residing in Germany.

The organization said such practices constitute violations of international humanitarian law, citing Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 46 of the 1907 Hague Regulations, which prohibit the confiscation of private property.

It added that these actions amount to serious breaches of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes, arguing that Turkey bears full legal responsibility as the effective occupying power in the region.