Murders and kidnappings on the rise in Turkish-occupied Efrin

The Turkish state has been committing human rights violations and crimes since its occupation of Efrin on 20 December 2018. According to Hawar News Agency (ANHA), in the first six months of 2023, the Turkish state and its mercenaries killed 12 citizens, kidnapped 173 people, built 6 houses for the families of paramilitary structures and cut down 15.500 trees. In the occupied canton, where demographic change is occurring, people are being forced to flee through kidnapping, ransom, plunder, extortion, rape and ethnic cleansing.

ANHA, which has prepared a report on the crimes committed by the Turkish state and its mercenaries in the first 6 months of 2023 according to the information of the Human Rights Organization in Efrin-Syria, states that the crimes of murder and kidnapping are increasing daily in the canton of Efrin. A total of 12 people have been killed this year, including 4 members of the same family on 20 March. According to the report, 173 people have been abducted on false charges and for ransom in the last 6 months.

The article also contains information about the newly constructed buildings inhabited by the family members of mercenaries. The news agency reported on the construction of the “Ecnadin Palestine” house in the Cindirese district, adding that this house was built with the support of the Palestinian organization “Ecnad al-Islam” and that families from the “Ahrar al-Sham” group had moved into the houses. Furthermore, an alleged Qatari charity organization announced the start of a housing project called “Al Kerame City”. The reason given was to rebuild the houses damaged in the February 6 earthquake. However, according to ANHA, once construction was completed, families of mercenaries were moved in. In addition, it is reported that similar houses are being built in various locations.

Another striking revelation comes from sources in the occupied canton of Efrin. The report states that in less than a week 2 rapes were committed against 2 children aged 10 and 14. While there are still women who have not been found after being abducted in Efrin, it appears that there are new cases of kidnappings, including women. Recently, the United Nations General Assembly decided to establish an independent institution to investigate the fate of the missing and forcibly disappeared during the 12-year crisis in Syria. The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) congratulated this decision to uncover the fate of more than 100.000 people, according to estimates by non-governmental organizations.