What happened to Aleppo’s Kidnapped Kurds?

ANHA agency reported yesterday that armed groups in Aleppo abducted dozens of civilians solely based on their ethnic identity—targeting Kurdish residents of the city. Today, the final four detainees were released from a group of 40 civilians subjected to this racist campaign. The survivors include Aziz Riyad Nasro, Khalil Horek Rasho, Hani Mustafa Abdo, and Youssef Hussein Youssef. 

The abductees revealed to ANHA correspondents that their kidnapping was carried out by groups linked to Turkish-backed mercenaries (*Al-Amshat*) or forces aligned with Damascus’ so-called "Public Security" apparatus. The assailants demanded, *“Who among you is Kurdish?”* before viciously beating and humiliating those identified by their Kurdish names. They used rifle butts, sharp iron rods, and other brutal methods to inflict pain. 

The abduction occurred near Baghdad Station in Aleppo’s Al-Shalal Road, where 14 vehicles—including an armored car—blocked the area. Masked militants descended, attacking unarmed Kurdish civilians. Victims were blindfolded, gagged, and transported to unknown locations after being forced to mimic animals in degrading videos—a tactic reminiscent of the fallen Ba’ath regime’s security apparatus. 

Survivors confirmed enduring electric shocks, beatings with heated nylon hoses, and having their hands bound so tightly that blood flow was cut off. They were doused with water, called “pigs,” and threatened with execution by knife. Their phones were looted, money stolen, and privacy violated. Disturbingly, they heard other detainees screaming under torture. 

This atrocity follows the recent release of three Kurds in Qamishli, Northeast Syria, after four days of captivity by Damascus forces. Photographic evidence confirms the savage torture marks on survivors’ bodies. 

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ANHA