Myriad crimes of Turkish occupation, its mercenaries in Manbij city

The mercenaries of the Turkish occupation, the "Syrian National Army", have committed war crimes and flagrant violations in the city of Manbij, including field execution, torture and humiliation, in addition to systematic looting and theft, since the start of their attacks on the city on November 27, 2024.

The following is a breakdown of some of the documented crimes according to activists and monitoring and follow-up centers:

First crime: Field execution

Two videotapes documented four mercenaries of the "National Army" affiliated with the Turkish occupation, field execution of four members of the Manbij Military Council forces or civilians who refused the entry of the mercenaries into their city.

The first video shows armed mercenaries shooting the wounded.

In the other video, a leader of the "National Army" mercenaries appears ordering the killing of the wounded in the trunk of a Kia car.

Second Crime: Torture and Humiliation of Civilians

A video showed three detained civilians being insulted and humiliated, as the mercenaries forced them to imitate animal sounds.

The detainees appeared in another recording, with other detainees, one of whom was an elderly man. They were beaten with whips and belts, slapped and kicked repeatedly, on direct orders from the mercenary leader, who described one of them as an "old pig" and ordered him to be tortured mercilessly.

The fate of these detainees remains unknown, amid fears of their liquidation.

Third Crime: Storming, Looting and Robbery

A video documented five mercenaries storming a room containing three people, where they were beaten and insulted. The mercenaries stole two mobile phones, then tried to destroy the surveillance cameras.

Hundreds of homes and shops in Manbij and its countryside were subjected to theft and looting by the mercenaries of the National Army, which prompted the residents to demonstrate against them and declare a "strike of dignity" yesterday, Sunday, December 15, 2024, in protest against their crimes.

The fourth crime: Violation of the sanctity of homes

A video clip showed seven mercenaries of the "Jarabulus Commandos" affiliated with the mercenaries of the "National Army", storming a house in the village of Al-Nawajah on the outskirts of Manbij.

The mercenaries stole the contents of the house, looted two cars (a silver Mercedes 220 and a black Kia-Mohave), and removed their license plates to avoid being tracked.

The mercenary group continued its attacks on other homes in the village, repeating the looting and theft operations, which was shown by surveillance cameras.

War crimes and gross violations of human rights

The crimes committed by the mercenaries of the "National Army" affiliated with the Turkish occupation in Manbij and its countryside amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and include:

Extrajudicial execution: Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 prohibits the field execution of the wounded and detainees.

Torture and degrading treatment: Torture and humiliation violate the 1984 Convention against Torture, which strictly prohibits cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Targeting civilians: Targeting civilians and property is a war crime according to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Looting and pillage: International humanitarian law prohibits looting and theft during armed conflicts, and considers them a flagrant violation of international norms.

The international community is facing the test of humanity

Human rights activists believe that the continued violations of the mercenaries of the "National Army" without accountability encourages the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries to commit more crimes. Therefore, international powers and organizations that claim humanity and human rights, especially those concerned, must move urgently to stop these violations and crimes in Manbij and other areas.

As well as holding the Turkish occupation state accountable as the main supporter of these mercenary groups, and that it bears legal and moral responsibility for the crimes committed, in accordance with the principles of international law.

T/ Satt.

ANHA