afrinpost-Exclusive
Recent reports fromour sources in Afrin shed light on disturbing activities by Turkish-backed militias, where their leadership and armed elements have been involved in the systematic looting of olive harvests from local fields. Subsequently, these militias have resorted to cutting down valuable trees, citing the sale of wood as the rationale, particularly as winter approaches. This destructive pattern poses a severe threat to the agricultural livelihoods and the environment of the Afrin region.
In a detailed account of these actions, individuals affiliated with the group known as “Nidal al-Bayanooni” looted the olive harvest from the field of the forcibly displaced person “Jamil Oso”, in the village of Qastal Muqdad, in Bulbul sub-district. Shockingly, they went on to fell all 75 olive trees to be sold as firewood.
Moreover, members of the “Ninth Division” militia reportedly looted the olive harvest from 50 trees in the village of Cheh/Çê, in Rajo sub-district. These trees belonged to Hassan Hannan, a local resident. Following the looting, they proceeded to cut down an additional 15 trees from his orchard.
Along the road leading to the village of Qastal Kishk, the Economic Office, affiliated with the “Sultan Murad” militia, was implicated in the theft of the olive harvest from 90 trees that belonged to the forcibly displaced person Muhammad Hannan, hailing from the village of U’pla. This act followed the cancellation of the power of attorney, which had previously been in the name of his brother, “Abdo Hannan.”
Notably, IDPs from Ghouta Damascus took part in the degradation of the environment by felling the remaining 35 large olive trees of the al-Najjar famil, located in the village of Ain Dara. These actions occurred near a water channel behind al-Ashrafiya neighborhood after they had already stolen the olive harvest.
In Jimdires, armed thieves resorted to the use of sticks while stealing olives from the field of citizen “Hanan Rahman,” a resident of the village of Amara. This incident took place near the driving school along the Jindires road, resulting in significant damage to approximately 60 trees.
Adding to this concerning situation, the home of citizen “Imad Hussein” was targeted by armed burglars on the morning of November 3. The incident took place as he had left for his olive field in the village of Kutana, in Bulbul sub-district. His residence is situated in close proximity to the Qaban roundabout within al-Ashrafiya neighborhood of the occupied city of Afrin.
