Five more civilians kidnapped in occupied Afrin

More civilians have been kidnapped in the northern Syrian city of Afrin which has been occupied by the Turkish army and allied mercenaries for over three years.

According to reports from the ground, three civilians have been kidnapped in Mabata district and two others in Jindires district of the occupied city.

The occupation forces abducted Ciwan Mistefa Şêxo (18) and Ruken Mistefa Şêxo (24) from the village of Jalama in Jindires district on Sunday. The aftermath of both remains unknown.

Earlier today, the so-called “military police”, a structure of violence and crime established by the Turkish state after the occupation Afrin, and Turkish-backed mercenary group Liwa Mihemed El-Fatih kidnapped three civilians in Mabata district.

While two of those kidnapped, Elî Mihemed Şeban (42) and Ebdo Xelîl (50), were taken to the prison in Marate, Mihemed Xelîl (70) was reportedly released in return for a ransom of a thousand dollars taken from his family.

A terror regime has been established in Afrin, which has been under Turkish occupation since March 2018. Crimes such as kidnapping, execution, torture, looting, and forced displacement have become daily routine in the city.

According to Afrin Human Rights Organization Spokesperson İbrahim Şêxo, at least thirty-seven civilians were kidnapped in July. Şêxo stated that the demographic structure in Afrin continues to be changed, adding that twenty-one houses and workplaces were confiscated for various reasons last month. Şêxo also pointed out that people who take charge of their relatives’ lands are not allowed to plough. Furthermore, agricultural products and olive trees have been confiscated in nearly thirty villages.