Measures at Afrin checkpoints targets vehicles with Autonomous Administration license plates 

Two letters and a sun—a symbol emblazoned on the license plates of vehicles belonging to those returning to Afrin among the nine waves of displaced persons. It is the very same symbol used to harass the drivers, with intimidation tactics by Internal Security Forces personnel escalating to threats of vehicle confiscation.

A driver affected by the recent measures—who preferred to remain anonymous—told ANHA agency that Internal Security Force personnel stopped him at a checkpoint. They interpreted the symbol on his vehicle as a reference to "Rojava Kurdistan," demanding he remove or conceal it and threatening to prevent him from continuing his journey if he failed to comply.

According to the driver, this was not an isolated incident; other drivers faced similar threats at one of the main entrances to the city of Afrin due to the same symbol.

Others added that government-affiliated personnel informed vehicle owners that symbols associated with their Kurdish identity were prohibited and that the vehicle registrations held by returnees were entirely invalid. This has disrupted the movement of vehicles and residents, further complicating their travel.

These license plates are part of the vehicle registration system that was in effect in Afrin prior to 2018—before the region was occupied by Turkey and its proxies. At that time, the plates were issued to civilian vehicles as a regulatory measure to register the vehicles and identify their owners.

As observed by ANHA  agency, these measures conflict with several clauses of the January 29 agreement. That agreement stipulates the integration of the Autonomous Administration and government institutions while ensuring the continued validity of both sides' regulations and institutions during the current phase, as well as safeguarding the distinct character of Kurdish areas.

These measures have sparked resentment among returnees, who view them as new obstacles to their reintegration into their home areas following eight years of forced displacement. It is noteworthy that the latest group of displaced persons from Afrin returned to their areas on July 16, arriving from the cities of Qamishlo, Hasaka, and Derik, as part of the implementation of the January 29 agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Government.

Sh-S

ANHA