Villages of Afrin transformed into military bases; residents victims of forced demographic change

Afrin remains under the heavy yoke of Turkish occupation, marked by ongoing security chaos, violations, and crimes against its population over the past eight years.

The so-called “Turkish governor” overseeing the “local council in Afrin” has refused to hand over administrative control of the region and its local councils to the Damascus government. He previously stated in January that discussions with Damascus would occur, yet Afrin’s administration would remain under direct Turkish supervision.

ANHA correspondent has documented that all civilian, military, and security buildings surrounding Avrin Hospital are off-limits for photography and approach without authorization, with Turkish flags flying prominently atop their rooftops. The Turkish occupying state exerts full control over all security apparatuses in the area, while service and administrative centers operate under its oversight. All signs and billboards are displayed in both Turkish and Arabic.

Last year, the "Olive Branch" roundabout was constructed over the ruins of the "Kawa al-Haddad" roundabout, which was destroyed immediately after Turkish mercenaries entered Afrin. The "Freedom" roundabout was renamed "Atatürk Square," and "Newroz" roundabout was renamed "Saladin Roundabout" as part of a deliberate policy aimed at erasing Kurdish identity and reshaping the city’s demographics through Turkification policy. These landmarks remain today as a testament to attempts to erase the region’s authentic cultural symbols.

Turkish intelligence "MIT" directly supervises a checkpoint in al-Muhassan near the village of Kokan in Mobata in rural Afrin. Turkish officers inspect passing vehicles and thoroughly verify passengers’ identity cards.

The former headquarters of the Internal Security Forces (prior to occupation), known as the Saraya building in central Afrin, now serves as the office of the Turkish-appointed governor, housing Turkish army officers and soldiers.

Additionally, Turkish national holidays are celebrated in Afrin. The Yunus Emre Institute held events in the industrial school building to mark the Turkish National Sovereignty and Children’s Day on April 23, promoting Turkification, cultural assimilation, and loyalty to Turkey. Turkish curricula and culture are imposed in Afrin’s schools.

8 Years of violations

Since the occupation of Afrin on March 18, 2018, more than 778 civilians have been killed, including 105 documented women. Nearly one million olive and other forest trees have been cut down, alongside the destruction of over 59 archaeological sites and storage facilities, and more than 28 religious shrines belonging to various sects and faiths.

Turkish forces and their mercenaries continue a systematic policy of demographic and cultural transformation in Afrin, perpetrating ongoing violations against indigenous populations, their properties, and environment.

Between April and August 2025, multiple cases of abductions, suspicious deaths, attacks, thefts of livestock and vehicles were recorded. Extensive deforestation and burning of forested areas were also documented in villages such as Qatma and Haj Hasna, as well as in the mountains surrounding Afrin.

individual returns

Despite the return of nearly half a million refugees outside Syria to their homeland according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the return of displaced Afrin residents has been limited and individual in nature. This is largely due to the continued presence of Turkish occupation forces and their mercenaries in their homes and lands, coupled with fears of ongoing daily crimes.

Displaced Afrin residents settled across North and East Syria and Aleppo await a safe, collective return under international supervision, contingent on the complete withdrawal of Turkish forces and mercenaries.

In March, an agreement was signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Damascus government, including provisions to guarantee the return and protection of displaced persons by the Syrian state an issue emphasized by displaced persons’ officials within the Autonomous Administration during meetings inside and outside Syria.

In April, a separate agreement concerning the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods included Afrin as an administrative part of Aleppo, focusing on the return mechanism for its residents. Furthermore, on April 16, an Autonomous Administration advisor revealed an agreement with Damascus representatives to hold a meeting aimed at devising a work plan and timetable for the return of displaced persons to Afrin; however, this has yet to materialize as Damascus lacks decision-making authority, which remains with the Turkish occupiers.

villages transformed into military bases

Ibrahim Sheikho, a human rights activist within the Syria Human Rights Organization – Afrin, affirmed to ANHA agency that killings, abductions, confiscations, and extortion of money continue unabated against the local population by Turkish mercenaries and settlers.

He reported that five villages remain under direct Turkish supervision, with stationed troops and bases, including the villages of Jiya (al-Jabaliyah), Darwish in Raju, Sheikhwarzah belonging to Bulbul city, and Basala and Jalbar in Sherawa city. He stressed, “The return of displaced residents to these villages is prohibited as they have been turned into military bases.”

Concluding, he called for securing a safe and collective return of displaced persons, establishing local self-administration by the original inhabitants, and the full withdrawal of the Turkish occupation, its mercenaries, and settlers.

ANHA