afrinpost– Exclusive
The terrorist organization Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has seized control of the industrial zone in the occupied city of Afrin. This takeover occurred approximately three days ago, displacing the pro-HTS militia known as the “Tahrir al-Sham” movement.
HTS immediately began conducting an inventory of the shops within the industrial zone and investigating their owners. They proceeded to divide the area using iron chains and stationed their members to guard it.
Our correspondent reported that HTS sorted the names of the original shop owners from those seized by the factions of the “Syrian National Army,” particularly those taken by the former “Al-Jabha al-Shamiya” militia before their expulsion from Afrin. Any shop that fell under the control and management of Turkish-backed militias is now under HTS’s authority.
Furthermore, HTS has demanded IDPs who have taken possession of shops belonging to local residents to provide lease contracts. In the coming days, a similar inventory will be conducted for shops located in the Ashrafieh neighborhood.
It is worth mentioning that the pro-HTS militia, affiliated with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, opened an office in the industrial zone of occupied Afrin on April 20, 2023, under the name of the Industrial Management Office. The office claimed to impose fees on craftsmen under the pretext of organizing work and protecting civilians in the industrial market.
