Fear grips city seized by pro-Turkey rebels

Testimonies in Afrin paint picture of chaotic city with little protection for civilians

From kidnappings for ransom to armed robberies and torture: residents of Syria’s Afrin region say they are suffering a litany of abuses at the hands of Turkish-backed rebels.

Fear of harassment has kept them inside their homes since Ankara and its Arab rebel allies overran the then overwhelmingly Kurdish city in March. Their testimonies paint a picture of a chaotic city with little protection for civilians. “They robbed my son’s house and didn’t leave a thing — not even the clothes,” says a resident, Ahmad, 55.

Since Turkish troops and pro-Ankara Arab rebels captured the city from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), United Nations and human rights groups have recorded widespread abuses.

Half of the 320,000 residents fled, according to a UN report. Those who returned The Turkish president has suggested that Turkey’s military could soon launch a new operation across the border into northern Syria, in zones held by Syrian Kurdish fighters.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement is renewing a threat to expand Turkey’s military operations into areas east of the Euphrates River held by US-backed Syrian Kurds. Speaking at a military ceremony honouring Turkish commandos yesterday, Erdogan said: “God willing, very soon ... we will leave the terror nests east of the Euphrates in disarray.” Turkey launched incursions into Syria in 2016 and 2018. often found their homes occupied by fighters or displaced Arab civilians.

Others returned to homes stripped bare in large-scale looting. Abu Jihad, 60, said: “Injustice, injustice, injustice, and no one is holding them [Turkish-backed rebels] accountable,” he sighs.