afrinpost-Exclusive
Reportedly, on Friday, March 22nd, the Turkish-allied “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya” militia abducted four youths near the Bab al-Salama border crossing in the occupied countryside of Azaz. Subsequently, they extorted their families financially after being deported from Turkish territories towards northern Syria.
According to our sources, Turkish authorities deported four youths from Aleppo province – Mahmoud Hakkoura, Abdulilah Hakkoura, Mamdouh Mohammed, and Firas Qaimar Abdullatif – despite possessing Turkish residence permits (kimlik). Upon entering Syrian territories through Bab al-Salama crossing, a checkpoint affiliated with Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya militia intercepted them, abducted them, and demanded a ransom of 3000 Turkish liras for their release.
It’s worth mentioning that Turkish-backed militias (Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya, Ninth Division, and Asifat Al-Shamal) have checkpoints near the Jarablus and Bab al-Salama border crossings. They frequently abduct civilians deported from Turkey to extort ransom and tributes from them, despite Syrians’ suffering from the policy of forced deportation carried out by Turkish authorities under the guise of voluntary return, knowing that they possess valid residence permits (kimlik).
On March 17, 2024, a checkpoint belonging to the Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya militia near Bab al-Salama border crossing imposed a financial tribute on six youths deported from Turkish territories, ranging from 1500 to 2000 Turkish liras each.
Similarly, on February 18, 2024, the Ninth Division militia in Jarablus, east of Aleppo, abducted twelve individuals, mostly from Aleppo and Homs provinces, after being deported by Turkish authorities through the Jarablus border crossing. They demanded a ransom of 2500 Turkish liras for the release of each individual.
