Transitional Govt. Forces abuse Visitors to Sheikh Maqsoud- Ashrafiya neighborhoods

Members of the Transitional Government forces in Syria have been mistreating pedestrians heading to Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafiya neighborhoods at the checkpoints set up next to the joint barriers surrounding these areas.

A female citizen among many witnesses reported that upon returning from Al-Razi Hospital in Aleppo, located in areas controlled by the Transitional Government, to her home in Sheikh Maqsoud, she was verbally insulted with phrases such as “Anyone entering the neighborhood is a pig” by the forces stationed at the new checkpoints.

She also confirmed that the forces inspect passersby’s mobile phones by connecting them to the internet to track notifications, a practice that constitutes a blatant violation of individual privacy and freedom of movement.

According to one woman’s testimony, the forces forced her to open her bag, which contained only necessary medical documents for her hospital procedures and some personal belongings. This invasive action sparked her outrage due to the violation of women’s privacy.

Two days ago, our agency documented with photos and videos how Transitional Government forces pressured civilians and obstructed their movement by scrutinizing their belongings and mobile phones at recently established checkpoints near the entrances to Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafiya neighborhoods.

According to informed sources, the forces manning these new checkpoints belong to the 60th and 72nd Divisions under the Ministry of Defense of the Transitional Government in Syria.

ANHA