Returning Afrin Residents: our homes still occupied settlers, armed factions’ families

A number of Afrin residents who have returned to their areas confirmed that their homes and lands remain under the control of families affiliated with armed factions. They also stated that they were being asked to pay money in order to recover their properties.

6 July, 2026 11:24

NEWSDESK

One Afrin resident, who returned to the area as part of the eighth return group, told ANHA agency that the families occupying their homes are still living in them and have not left.

The resident explained that incoming families had taken over his house in the city of Afrin and demanded that he pay 2,500 US dollars in exchange for vacating and returning it to him.

He added that he had filed complaints with the relevant authorities, but his home has not yet been vacated.

The issue is not limited to homes; large areas of agricultural land belonging to Afrin residents have also reportedly been seized, with owners being asked to pay money to regain access to them.

According to information received from the district of Shiyeh (Sheikh al-Hadid), the “30th Brigade” and the “25th Division,” led by Abu Amsha, maintain control over the district and collect money from residents. They have also converted the post office building and three houses belonging to local residents into military and logistical headquarters, while preventing civilians from approaching them.

Sources added that 521 families connected to armed factions are residing in Shiyeh district, while approximately 5,000 families are living in the city of Afrin, most of whom originate from Deir ez-Zor Governorate.

The Turkish state and allied armed factions took control of Afrin in 2018, resulting in the displacement of its original population and demographic changes in the region through the settlement of families of faction members coming from Idlib, Deir ez-Zor, Azaz, Hama, and Homs into the homes of original residents.

As part of the January 9 agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Interim Government in Syria, one provision called for ensuring the safe return of displaced people to their areas. Following this agreement, groups of displaced Afrin residents began gradually returning to their homes.

Despite this agreement, thousands of homes belonging to Afrin residents remain occupied by families affiliated with armed factions and have not yet been vacated.

A-H

ANHA