afrinpost-Exclusive
A recent wave of arrests by Turkish-backed militias in Afrin has targeted civilians suspected of past affiliations with the region’s previous administration. As reported by our correspondent, Faisal Khalil, a 45-year-old resident of Chaqala village, was apprehended from his residence in Al-Ashrafiya neighborhood of occupied Afrin approximately ten days ago. Khalil faces accusations of having been a member of the neighborhood committee during the era of the Autonomous Administration in Afrin.
Similarly, Iyad Rashid Rashid, hailing from Khalnera village, was also detained by the Turkish-allied Security Forces militia, around the same time. He stands accused of associations with the People’s Protection Units (YPG) during the previous administration in Afrin.
These arrests add to the growing tally documented by afrinpost, which has recorded 74 cases of abduction and detainment since the onset of February 2024, as of the 18th of the same month. Among those detained are four women, a child, and four IDPs. Additionally, there have been reports of five cases involving citizens returning from Aleppo, and 40 incidents of abduction occurring at checkpoints manned by Shiite militias in Nubl and Zahraa. The documentation also accounts for 31 cases of release.
