Returning families find homes destroyed and looted in Afrin Village

Although thousands of displaced families from Afrin have returned to their homes from the Kobani and Jazira regions, many others are still unable to go back due to widespread destruction and looting that, according to residents, affected villages and homes during the years of displacement.

Instead of recovering the fruits of years of hard work, returning families said they were met with destroyed and looted villages and homes.

Most houses were damaged during attacks carried out by Turkey and affiliated armed factions, while homes that remained standing were later looted by settlers, according to the returning residents.

The families said settlers removed all household belongings and even stripped steel reinforcement bars from the buildings, leaving many families with no choice but to stay in temporary shelters or with relatives.

Photos and videos from Douraqliya village illustrate the extent of the destruction and looting.

According to local residents, eight related families (brothers) settled in the village, divided it among themselves, and over the past eight years systematically looted its homes.

ANHA