IDPs from Afrin demand return under YPG, YPJ Protection

On March 18, 2018, the city of Afrin was occupied by the Turkish state and its mercenaries, forcing its residents to flee to the Shahba region. Seven years later, on December 2, 2024, they were displaced once again—this time to areas administered by the Autonomous Administration.

The number of Afrin families displaced to Hasaka stands at 1,450, totaling 5,428 individuals. The displaced residents of the Youth Housing Complex shared with us their hope for a safe return to Afrin.

Azzedine Allo recalled the brutal attack by the Turkish occupation state and its mercenaries on Afrin, which resulted in the mass displacement of its population to Shahba.

“Afrin’s residents organized themselves and defended their land,” he said.

Allo condemned the violations committed by the mercenaries, saying:“They erased Afrin’s culture and identity, destroyed it, seized all the homes of the native residents, and looted their property. We feel deep pain whenever we speak of Afrin. We planted those olive trees with our own hands. The suffering of displacement is one thing, but being separated from Afrin and our olive trees is something else entirely. Afrin is the land of our ancestors.”

He stressed that there had been no presence of the PKK in Afrin, clarifying that the people of Afrin had administered and defended their own region. “We reject occupation and forced displacement,” he continued, “We fought the Turkish-backed mercenaries who claimed to act in the name of Islam. They expelled us, attacked us again in Shahba with the same mentality, and displaced the people of Afrin once more. We call upon international organizations to uphold their responsibilities.”

“Our return will be under the protection of the YPG and YPJ fighters,” Allo affirmed.

Speaking about the conditions for return, he said: “We want a safe return, and that cannot happen under occupation. We will not return individually; if there is to be a return, it will be collective—under the protection of the People’s and Women’s Protection Units. The armed groups currently in Afrin cannot be trusted.”

Suleiman Shahin echoed this sentiment, saying: “We are advocates of peace. We call upon international organizations to shoulder their responsibilities and end the bloodshed on our land. We were overjoyed when we heard of the prospect of return, and we await this good news. But we refuse to return while mercenaries remain in Afrin.”

Fatima Horo referred to the March 10 Agreement, saying:“The agreement must be implemented as soon as possible. The return we seek is not individual but collective, after the withdrawal of mercenaries. Our return is hindered by the presence of Turkish bases and mercenary forces. Our rights must be guaranteed, and we must be able to return home alongside our forces.”

a.k

ANHA