Two young men assaulted at checkpoint in Sheikh Maqsoud 

Local sources reported that members affiliated with the Interim Government abducted the two Kurds earlier this morning from the new checkpoint, which had been set up alongside joint checkpoints in the Al-Awarid area south of Sheikh Maqsoud. The young men were later released.

According to one of the victims, who managed to escape the scene, the abduction was carried out based on their identity and the alleged presence of Kurdish symbols and photos found on their mobile phones.

After their release and entry into the neighborhood, the two men stated that they were beaten with rifle butts, slapped across the face, and kicked, while being threatened with execution.

The increased deployment of new checkpoints alongside existing ones, along with the thorough inspection of mobile phones of those passing toward Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, has been viewed as another form of restriction — violating freedom of movement and personal privacy without any legal justification.

It is worth noting that the Interim Government had reopened three roads leading to Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods for pedestrians and vehicles yesterday, while keeping several others closed, following the recent escalation and ongoing blockade imposed on both areas.

a.k

ANHA