afrinpost– Exclusive
In the face of persistent violations, lawlessness, and a lack of accountability in the occupied region of Afrin, Islamic militias affiliated with Turkey are shamelessly capitalizing on the forcibly confiscated properties of Kurdish citizens.
Reliable sources have obtained exclusive information revealing that the Suleiman Shah/Al-Amshat militia has undertaken a comprehensive survey of homes and businesses seized from the original Kurdish inhabitants. These properties were previously under the control of Al-Jabha al-Shamiya and Jaish al-Islam militias in the towns of Mobata/Ma’batli and the village of Hisê. Following the expulsion of these aforementioned militias from Afrin, the Al-Amshat militia swiftly assumed control.
Al-Amshat militia members have reportedly issued stern warnings to IDPs who have unlawfully occupied these properties, as well as to investors who are currently leasing the seized shops. They demand immediate payment of rent or eviction. It is worth noting that the militia has wasted no time in directly appropriating the houses that were previously under the control of the ousted militia leaders in Afrin.
In recent days, the Al-Amshat militia has launched a series of campaigns targeting these surveyed properties, forcibly pressuring IDPs to evacuate. The final deadline for evacuation was June 16. Additionally, the militia has proceeded to lease out the seized commercial shops for its own personal gain.
According to sources, any Kurdish citizen from Mobata and Hisê has the right to reclaim their properties, be it a house or a shop. However, this can only be achieved by making a payment starting from $1,000 per property to the Economic Office of the Al-Amshat militia.
This distressing revelation comes on the heels of a similar incident where Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham conducted a comprehensive survey of shops located within Afrin’s industrial zone. The organization meticulously investigated the ownership of these establishments, subsequently sectioning off the area with chains and assigning its members to safeguard it. IDPs who had unlawfully taken over these shops were obligated to sign rental contracts. Furthermore, it is anticipated that a comparable survey of shops in al-Ashrafiya neighborhood will commence in the imminent future.
