Settlers cut down forest trees in countryside of occupied Afrin

Groups of settlers in the countryside of Afrin city have cut down a number of forest trees in a natural woodland near the village of Trenda, amid the absence of any effective intervention by the relevant authorities there.

29 March, 2026 21:56

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, citing local sources, reported that tree-cutting operations are still ongoing in al-Khalidiya woodland near the village of Trenda in Afrin’s countryside. Groups residing in the nearby “Kuwait al-Rahma” camp have cut down the remaining trees.

The Observatory confirmed the absence of any effective intervention by the concerned authorities to halt these violations, a situation that is exacerbating the degradation of vegetation cover in the area and threatening what remains of forested land.

The vegetation cover in the occupied Afrin region has suffered significant damage due to widespread logging by settlers and factions affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government, backed by the Turkish occupation. The aim, according to the report, is financial gain through selling firewood in local markets for heating purposes.

ANHA