IDPs from Afrin: We want to return to Afrin with our own defense forces

Thousands of residents of Afrin were displaced because of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries. The displaced spoke to our agency about the displacement and the prospect of returning to Afrin.

Ahmed Mustafa Musa explained that they were driven from their homes because of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries, saying:

"We fled to Shahba and suffered there for eight years. We never imagined the pain would return again. We were displaced twice, and the people of Afrin have suffered tremendously because of the occupation."

He noted that the fall of the Baath regime on December 8, 2024 increased their hope of returning to their homes, saying:

"After the fall of the Baath regime, the transitional government took power, but we see that this government is worse than the Baath regime."

He continued:

"On March 10, Mazloum Abdi and Ahmad al-Shar’a signed an agreement, and among its articles was the return of all displaced people to their homes, but this has not been implemented yet. Our first demand is to return to Afrin."

Luqman Jaro mentioned the practice of concluding agreements after wars end, saying: "The whole world sees that the displaced are suffering, yet they remain silent. Everyone must stand in solidarity with the displaced, find a solution for them, and guarantee their return to their homes."

He concluded by saying: "We will return to our homes with our defensive forces, no matter what happens. We want the occupier to leave Afrin so that we may return with our forces—our forces are our identity. We want an Afrin that is free, democratic, and safe, not occupied."

a.k

ANHA