uncertain fate haunts young man kidnapped twice by militants in occupied Afrin

Local sources from rural Afrin have revealed that militant groups continue to abduct a young man from the village of Qatma, after he was kidnapped for the second time within a few months. The family has expressed deep concerns for his life and holds the Syrian Interim Government fully responsible for his safety.

6 October, 2025 18:42

NEWS DESK

According to local sources from occupied Afrin countryside, a 19-year-old young man named Janiar Mohammed Kilo was abducted last month by militants loyal to the Turkish occupation forces. His fate remains unknown.

The sources reported that Janiar was initially kidnapped alongside his elder brother, Rashid Mohammed Kilo (25 years old), during the Turkish occupation forces and their militants’ incursion into the Shahba canton in late December 2024. The two were first taken to schools in the city of Tal Rifaat, where they were detained for ten days before being transferred to the Al-Ra’i prison.

During a prisoner exchange, militants released Rashid, but Janiar remained in captivity.

Later, Janiar was transferred along with 18 other detainees by Turkish intelligence to the village of Qatma in Afrin. There, Janiar’s family and the other detainees’ families were demanded to pay ransoms for their release. Janiar was eventually freed and returned to his village.

However, the sources continued, the young man was kidnapped again on September 16, following a summons from the village headman to appear at the headquarters of the Syrian Interim Government forces to sign a “clearance statement.” His fate remains unknown, amid serious concerns from his family, who hold the Syrian Interim Government fully accountable for his safety.

ANHA