MIT transfer nearly 700 abductees to areas occupied by Turkey

The Human Rights Organization – Afrin/Syria reported that about a month ago, Turkish intelligence transferred between 600 and 700 abductees from the city of Afrin to the al-Rai and Hawar Kilis prisons in areas occupied by Turkey and its mercenaries.

The organization explained that the abductions began after March 18, 2018, after the Turkish army and its mercenaries, the "Syrian National Army," occupied the city of Afrin. Thousands of civilians were abducted, some of whom were transferred to Turkey and imprisoned there, while others were detained in mercenary prisons.

The organization added that the abductees transferred to the al-Rai and Hawar Kilis prisons were subjected to ill-treatment, torture, and enforced disappearance, during which they were prevented from communicating with their families, especially during the interrogation period inside al-Rai prison, northeast of Aleppo. This prison is considered one of the most sensitive security centers in the region and is under the control of the "National Army" mercenaries under direct Turkish supervision.

The organization noted that the kidnappings occurred without legal evidence and were limited to "suspicions and accusations" or the discovery of photos of Kurdish figures in civilian homes. These raids followed raids in Afrin villages under the pretext of "searching for weapons," which resulted in the abduction of dozens of young men.

According to the organization, "the goal of transferring the prisoners is to hide them, keep them away from their families, and prevent visits, in preparation for their use in potential exchange deals with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), depending on the political and security circumstances and the extent of compliance with the terms of the March 10, 2025, agreement signed between the SDF and the Damascus government."

The organization called for their immediate release

Sh-S

ANHA