afrinpost-Exclusive
In an appalling incident that left one victim sexually incapacitated, the militia led by “Suleiman Shah/Al-Amshat,” commanded by “Mohammed Al-Jassim Abu Amsha,” continues its reign of terror, imposing unwarranted levies and committing heinous crimes against vulnerable Kurdish civilians in the Mobata/Ma’batli and Şiyê/Sheikh al-Hadid districts. Those unable to meet exorbitant levies face escalating violence under various pretexts.
A confidential source revealed to “afrinpost” that the “al-Amshat” militia has recently escalated its extortion tactics, introducing new taxes on affluent owners of olive oil presses and land in several agricultural areas in Sheikh al-Hadid and the village of Qarmitlaq. This levy translates to two dollars for each owned tree.
Furthermore, a $200 tax was levied on a Kurdish family in the village of Aranda. Notably, the elderly “Shukri Ibrahim” (70 years old), living alone, was spared from this coercive measure. However, it’s alarming that half of Arinda’s population, totaling 250 households, remains forcibly displaced.
The source added that the “Al-Amshat” militia’s reign of terror intensified with the recent abduction of citizens “Rafat Bajat Hussein” and “Zaki J” over a week ago. Their crime? Failing to pay a staggering $10,000 levy for the olive press in the village of Qarmitlaq. The victims were subjected to brutal torture, resulting in fractures, severe bruises, and the tragic consequence of sexual impotence for “Zaki,” who remains bedridden.
On December 31, 2023, “Abu Mu’adh,” the security leader of the “Amshat” militia, imposed $10,000 levy on each olive press in the Sheikh al-Hadid and Ma’batli districts. Some presses faced an even higher levy of $12,000. Additionally, every olive oil merchant in the district bore the burden of a $10,000 levy.
Documented on December 18, afrinpost recorded instances of the “Amshat” militia’s intimidation tactics against Kurdish citizens struggling to meet these exorbitant levies, emphasizing imprisonment threats. The militia resorts to violence during its raids on Kurdish villages in the Sheikh al-Hadid and Ma’batli districts.
