afrinpost-exclusive
Turkish-backed militias affiliated with the “Syrian National Army” have reportedly blocked the movement of a civilian evacuation convoy organized by activists and civil society organizations to rescue civilians trapped in Al-Shahba, northern Aleppo. The convoy, consisting of 50 buses, arrived at the village of Al-Ahdath on Wednesday afternoon following negotiations for safe passage. However, contact with the convoy was lost hours after it entered the area.
Preliminary reports suggest that the militias prevented the convoy from proceeding beyond Al-Ahdath, detaining it there. The plan was for the convoy to tour all villages in Al-Shahba and Sherawa to evacuate civilians. According to one convoy organizer, despite coordination with local authorities to ensure protection, negotiations faltered due to the presence of multiple militias in the region. The organizer claimed that the militias, with Turkish support, sought to exploit the situation for propaganda purposes.
Another source mentioned that the Barzani Charity Foundation also organized a convoy to assist civilians wishing to return to Afrin, but the information remains unconfirmed. Observers estimate that around 20,000 civilians remain trapped in Al-Shahba, either due to the sudden militia incursion into some villages or a lack of transportation to leave.
Fidan Mohammed, a civilian, reported that some of her relatives are still stranded in Tel Rifaat, awaiting evacuation. Contact with them has been lost, and their fate remains uncertain. Activists have shared audio recordings from trapped families, particularly women, pleading for help. One woman said, “Militiamen entered our home, insulted us, and beat us. We’re waiting for vehicles to leave and hope you won’t delay.” Another said, “They took my son, and I don’t know his fate. I must stay or return to Afrin to find him.”
A human rights activist expressed concern over the disappearance of several groups near Berxwedan Camp, who had been waiting for the evacuation convoy. There are fears they may have been forced back to Afrin or abducted by the militias.
The Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported that Turkish-backed factions are holding more than 15,000 civilians and have abducted many, subjecting them to starvation and deprivation of water and food. According to the SDF, the militias launched a large-scale campaign of abduction and enslavement, intercepting more than 120 vehicles carrying hundreds of civilians attempting to flee to northern and eastern Syria. The civilians were reportedly transported to an undisclosed location near Sheikh Najjar.
The SDF accused these militias of deliberately obstructing civilian evacuations, despite previous agreements, leaving thousands under dire conditions.
