afrinpost-Exclusive
Local sources reveal to afrinpost an ongoing wave of olive theft during the harvest season in the occupied Afrin region. Local residents find themselves unable to protect their crops and fields from repeated encroachments by armed IDPs and Turkish-affiliated militias.
According to our correspondent, IDPs residing in camps in the rural outskirts of Afrin are parking their cars within olive fields belonging to residents of villages such as Dikeh, Jia /Çê, Qasem, Sheikh, Barband, and Gullian in the Rajo and Bulbul sub-districts. They proceed to harvest olives under the protection of armed individuals affiliated with the Syrian National Army groups.
Our correspondent emphasized that the owners of the plundered fields are present on their lands during the IDPs’ invasion, witnessing the theft unfold before their eyes. Unfortunately, they are powerless to deter or even file a complaint against the intruders.
It’s noteworthy that olive theft has been rampant since September, even before the olives fully ripen. This ongoing issue not only leads to a decline in production but also compromises the quality of the oil. Precise statistics on the extent of imposed levies are unavailable, encompassing all stages from olive picking to oil production. Levies are imposed solely based on tree ownership, regardless of actual oil production.
