afrinpost-Exclusive
Violent clashes broke out today, October 23rd, between militants of the “Ninth Division” and members of the group led by a figure known as “Ammar Bayanuni” in the village of Qestelê Xidriya\ Qastal Khidriyanli, in the Bulbul sub-district. The conflict escalated when armed members of the “Ninth Division” militia invaded the premises of “Ammar Bayanuni” in the village.
The root cause of these clashes was the arrest of Ammar by the military police and Turkish intelligence authorities due to disagreements between the two factions. This incident occurred during a period when the region has been plagued by large-scale olive thefts, compromising the harvest season, and imposing levies. Additionally, the area continues to witness drug trafficking and artifact looting.
Two narratives have emerged regarding the events leading up to the clashes. The first narrative suggests that Ammar was arrested on charges of corruption, embezzlement, and theft. In contrast, the opposing narrative, circulated by Ammar’s defenders, alleges that a figure known as “Abu Jalal,” who leads the Ninth Division militia, lured Ammar Bayanuni to the military police office in Rajo center a week ago. Ammar was then accused of false charges and slander. This narrative claims that the military police office was complicit in the request by “Abu Jalal,” who has been involved in levying taxes on peopl in the Qastal Khidryanli sector of the Bulbul sub-district.
Regardless of the competing narratives and their variations, these clashes underscore the prevailing rivalry among militias and their leaders due to disputes over influence, expansion, theft, levies, and even the drug trade. Moreover, this infighting among factions occasionally exposes deep structural problems in the absence of a unified authority, highlighting that the term “National Army” often encompasses numerous transgressions, leaving the Ministry of Defense within the so-called Temporary Government without an effective role or weight in these disputes.
It’s worth mentioning that earlier this month, a figure named “Fahim Issa,” who leads the “Sultan Murad” militia, chastised Captain “Abu Jalal,” who leads the Ninth Division militia, and Captain “Mustafa,” who leads the “Northern Brigade” militia, in his office, subsequently expelling both from his premises. On October 2, 2023, “Abu Jalal” met with the leader of the Hamzat militia, “Saif Abu Bakr Boulad,” in preparation for joining the Common Force militia, which includes the “Hamzat” and “Suleiman Shah/Al-Amshat” militias.
The ongoing tensions and clashes between various militias in Afrin highlight the complex and volatile situation in the region, which is aggravated by disputes over power, resources, and control.
