UPDATES: restoring security in Afrin / ldlib

[Anthea]

Violence, extortion plague militia-held Afrin

A worsening humanitarian crisis, rights violations, and security chaos continue to grip Afrin and surrounding areas under militia control in northwest Syria, according to a war monitor and Kurdish politicians

“Since the Turkish forces and their loyal factions took control of the so-called ‘Olive Branch’ areas, namely Afrin and its affiliated areas northwest of Aleppo, the series of humanitarian crises, violations, and security chaos has been gradually worsening,” the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Friday.

At least 76 people were killed and 57 others were injured this year within areas under the control of Turkish forces and their affiliated militia groups, according to SOHR.

Turkey and its allied Syrian militia groups launched the code-named Operation Olive Branch in Afrin on January 20, 2018, taking control of the Kurdish enclave from the People’s Protection Units (YPG) two months later. The YPG is the backbone of the United States-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that control northeast Syria (Rojava).

Local and international rights groups have repeatedly accused the militia groups of committing human rights abuses against the Kurdish residents of Afrin.

The abuses have continued after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Damascus.

On Thursday, a source from Afrin said members of the armed group al-Amshat apprehended two residents, Masoud Mohammed and Shiyar Jamil Shekho. The group also allegedly stole a car and a tractor whose owners were accused of “not paying taxes to the armed group,” the source told Rudaw, speaking on condition of anonymity.

When the rebel forces led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took Aleppo at the end of November and started their rapid advance on Damascus, Turkish-backed groups of the Syrian National Army (SNA) launched an offensive against Kurdish-held areas north of Aleppo. Thousands of civilians, many of them previously displaced from Afrin, fled. Some have returned to Afrin.

“Around three to four thousand families have returned from Tabqa, Raqqa and Manbij. They are in Aleppo right now,” Ahmed Hassan, the head of the local branch of the Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC) told Rudaw’s Nalin Hassan.

“Going from Aleppo to Afrin is very easy now,” he said, adding that tens of thousands of people are waiting to return on tractors.

Some families are asked for money upon their return. “They tax them,” said Hassan.

They are demanded to pay up to $500 per family, according to Azad Osman, another ENKS member.

According to Hassan, the checkpoints in Aleppo are managed by the SNA and the situation on the ground has not changed with the new government in Damascus.

“Aleppo is still the same. There are still taxes, arrests, and the prisoners still haven’t been freed,” he said.

People who are newly detained are taken to court where they can be released if they pay hundreds of dollars for bail, according to Hassa. The courts are managed by the transitional government led by HTS.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /271220241

[Anthea]

The brutality of invaders

The town of Çilaxa in Cizire Canton welcomed 82 displaced families from Shehba following attacks by Turkish occupation mercenaries. The town council prepared the Martyr Hussein Ibrahim School as a temporary shelter for the displaced families

The IDPs call for unity and struggle despite the pain they have suffered. Amidst the devastating effects of the occupation attacks on the people, the people of Afrin-Shehba are determined to protect their identity, existence and land.

A reporter from ANHA agency interviewed several displaced individuals who shared accounts of the Turkish occupation’s brutality and their appeals for solidarity and perseverance in facing the occupiers.

Şêxmûs Îzet, a resident of the village of Basuta in occupied Afrin, was first displaced in 2018 to Shehba but later settled in Çilaxa after Turkish-backed mercenaries attacked Shehba.

He stated: "Our resistance in Afrin during 2018 lasted for 58 days despite relentless airstrikes by Turkish warplanes. We resisted in Shehba for seven years, enduring the hardships of displacement because of our unwavering hope to return to Afrin and expel the occupiers."

Şêxmûs Îzet detailed their second displacement journey, recounting the horrors and crimes they witnessed, stating: "On the road, we saw the bodies of civilians killed by the mercenaries. We also suffered verbal abuse and psychological torture."

"In Tel Rifaat, mercenaries killed civilians and tied their bodies to vehicles, dragging them around the city square while declaring, ‘This is the fate of every Kurd,’ and shouting, ‘Leave this place; everything you own is now ours," he added.

Şêxmûs Îzet emphasized, "Their goal is to annihilate our people, but they will not succeed. We will continue to resist and fight for our return to Afrin. Afrin is our identity and our very existence. We will struggle to protect this identity and achieve our aspirations.''

Ebdulezîz Kamîran, a displaced student who was studying at the Kurdish Language Institute, vowed to continue his education as a form of resistance and steadfastness against the mercenaries.

"Since the occupation of Afrin, we have been fighting to preserve our identity and our nationhood. We have sacrificed and endured much but have never surrendered or bowed to the savagery of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries, who aim to obliterate our people and alter the demographics of our homeland," he said.

Another displaced civilian, Wefa Şaman, said that they will not forget the crimes committed by the gangs of the Turkish state and said:

“Our vehicle broke down on the way and the gangs blocked us. Then we had to continue on foot towards Tabqa and Raqa. We will never forget the atrocities committed by the occupiers. We will continue our struggle until we return to our lands.”

[Anthea]

Over 4,000 Families Return to Afrin

Ahmed Hassan, a prominent leader of the Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS), confirmed that the return of displaced families to the city of Afrin

According to Hassan, more than 4,000 families have returned to their homes in the region since efforts began.

In a statement made to BasNews on Saturday, Hassan recalled the mass displacement of Afrin's residents in 2018, following intense fighting and Turkish military operations.

Many people were forced to flee, but the ENKS has worked tirelessly to facilitate their return. Hassan emphasized the importance of reclaiming their ancestral homeland, saying, "We called for the people to return to their homeland, the place of their ancestors."

The ENKS leader explained that the organization's advocacy has played a significant role in preventing demographic changes in Afrin, with efforts aimed at encouraging and assisting refugees in returning. "We provided free vehicles to transport their belongings back to their homes," Hassan added.

According to the Kurdish official, the return of displaced families is ongoing, with the majority of returning families being Arab rather than Kurdish. This shift reflects the region’s complex demographic makeup following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Hassan noted that the situation has improved with more freedom in the region, motivating people to come back to their villages, towns, and cities.

However, Hassan also expressed concerns about ongoing issues related to the treatment of prisoners from Afrin. Despite the release of many prisoners from Syrian jails after the fall of Assad's regime, he pointed out that many individuals from Afrin, including those who have committed no crimes, remain imprisoned without explanation.

He called for the immediate release of these prisoners to allow them to return home.

Finally, Hassan highlighted that the people of Afrin are now experiencing a sense of relief, as they no longer face additional charges for returning to their homeland. "People's livelihoods are bad, but they are relieved that they can come back without facing further obstacles," he said.

The ENKS’s efforts to support the return of displaced families in Afrin remain a pivotal part of its ongoing campaign for stability and the preservation of Kurdish identity in the region.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/871227

[Anthea]

We will not forget crimes of Turkish state

Turkish state and affiliated mercenaries carried out invasion attacks on Til Rifat, Shehba and Aleppo countryside

The people who were forced to migrate from Afrin to Shehba due to the attacks of the Turkish state in 2018 have recently experienced a second wave of migration, this time to safer areas of Northern and Eastern Syria.

The people of Afrin, who have been resisting for the last seven years, emphasise that they will continue their struggle with determination. Many families displaced from Shehba have settled in a student dormitory in Hesekê city of Cizre Canton. Struggling to survive here, Afrin IDPs spoke about the suffering and difficulties they have faced.

Leyla Mistefa stated that they had migrated to Shehba 7 years ago due to the Turkish state's occupation of Afrin and now they were subjected to a second migration. Leyla described her experiences as follows: “We witnessed many things during the war in Afrin. When we migrated to Shehba, we were on the road for days. Life in Shehba was very difficult; we were under siege and constantly under attack by the occupying Turkish state. Our children were injured in the bombardments, yet we resisted with the hope of returning to Afrin. Our struggle for seven years was only to return to Afrin.”

Remarking that they had to migrate to Cizre Canton following the most recent attacks of the Turkish state, Mistefa said that this migration took place under much more severe conditions. “We personally witnessed all the crimes committed by the occupying Turkish state on the way to migration. We saw with our own eyes the bodies of the slain people and the brutality against the people. We can never forget these incidents and neither will our children. For them, these incidents have turned into a nightmare.”

Mistefa stated that after they reached Hesekê, the Democratic Autonomous Administration provided assistance with all its means while international organisations remained silent: “No international organisation has come to our side so far. Our people are living in great difficulties. Still, our hope is to return to our lands one day.”

Zekiye Hebeş stated that they migrated from Afrin 7 years ago and the village of Um Hush near the border was constantly bombed. "We migrated again and came to Cizre Canton. We have many needs here. We settled in ruined houses, and living conditions are very difficult. In Afrin, we were living on our own and did not need anyone. Still, we will continue to make a living and survive no matter what.”

Heyder Bekir stated that the Turkish state’s attacks against the Kurdish people have not stopped for a moment, but the Kurdish people continue their resistance with determination. Drawing attention to the difficulties they are experiencing, he said: “We are currently staying in a youth hostel and we are facing many difficulties. The international community is silent about this situation and provides no support. Humanitarian organisations and institutions should come and see the difficulties we face here.”

Heyder Bekir added: “We will never give up our struggle. We will always struggle in order to be able to return to Afrin. The Kurdish people will not bow down to anyone.”

[Anthea]

Over 4,000 Kurds return to Afrin

More than 4,000 Kurdish families have returned to Afrin in recent weeks, with some armed groups demanding payment for entry, the head of the local council for the Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC) said Thursday

“The return of Kurdish families to their homeland continues,” Ahmed Hassan told Rudaw.

According to Hassan, armed groups controlling the area are demanding payments from Kurdish families attempting to return home.

“There are groups that charge thousands of dollars to allow a Kurdish family to return. Others charge $100. However, there are also areas where no charge is imposed,” he elaborated

Afrin, previously under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in 2018, was controlled by Ankara and the Syrian militants it supports. International organizations have recorded numerous human rights violations in Afrin since.

Hundreds of thousands fled Afrin in the face of the offensive, mostly residing in the nearby Shahba region.

Rebel groups, spearheaded by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, days after launching a blistering offensive. Syrian National Army (SNA) militants saw this as a chance to expand their territorial control of the area, attacking the SDF in Shahba region and taking control of it. This caused a new wave of displacement from the region to other areas under the control of the Kurdish forces.

Hassan also noted that settlers brought into Afrin during the years of conflict are increasingly leaving the region.

“We have received reports that 17 settler Arab families in one village have returned to their former place of residence,” he said

“In some cases, armed groups are preventing families from reclaiming their homes unless they pay money,” said the ENKS official.

The return process has also seen arrests. Hassan said young people returning to Afrin have been detained by armed groups on charges of links to the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in Rojava.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /090120252

[Anthea]

Young Man Killed by Landmine

A young Kurdish man, Mohammad Omar Barakat, lost his life on Saturday in a landmine explosion inside his home in Dughanka village, Shirawa area of Afrin

The explosion occurred when Barakat attempted to open the main door of his home, triggering a landmine planted inside. The device was one of many remnants of war left behind since Turkish military operations began in Afrin in 2018, local sources said. These remnants, including landmines and unexploded ordnance, continue to endanger civilians, affecting homes, agricultural lands, and villages.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that since the beginning of 2025, eight civilians have been killed and 13 injured, including 10 children, due to landmine explosions. In 2024, 212 civilians lost their lives to explosive remnants of war, including 28 women and 63 children

The tragic incident in Dughanka coincides with the gradual return of displaced Kurdish families to Afrin. Recently, 50 families returned to Kurzêlê village in the Shirawa area despite ongoing risks.

The Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011, has left many areas hazardous, preventing displaced families from safely returning to their homes.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/872683

[Anthea]

Masked Gunmen Raid Kurdish Homes

Forcefully Collecting Taxes

Armed militia groups have been raiding Kurdish homes in villages bordering the city of Afrin in Western Kurdistan, demanding taxes at gunpoint and threatening residents, sources said

A Kurdish resident from the village of Qarababa, in the border town of Rajoy, shared a video showing the destruction inside his home. “After they beat me and my pregnant wife, causing her to miscarry, they completely destroyed our house,” he told Kurdistan 24.

The resident, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, captured the aftermath of the attack on his mobile phone. “Look at what they have done to my house,” he said in the video. “They came from Afrin, assaulted me with rifle butts, and demanded money and weapons.”

His wife, who was one month pregnant, lost their baby due to the assault, he added.

Turkish-backed militia groups seized Afrin on January 20, 2018, after a 58-day military operation against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The offensive displaced around 350,000 people, with many now living in villages between Afrin and Aleppo. Over 300 civilians were killed, and more than 700 others were wounded during the operation.

Despite the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, and promises from the leadership of the Tahrir al-Sham Movement to facilitate the return of displaced Kurds, residents say they continue to face violence and expulsion from Turkish-backed forces.

Local sources report that militia groups have looted civilian homes, schools, hospitals, and historical sites, while Kurdish residents still encounter harassment and forced displacement.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/873110

[Anthea]

Thousands of Arab settlers leave Afrin

Thousands of Arab settlers have left the Kurdish city of Afrin in northern Syria and returned to their hometowns since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a local council member said on Monday, and over 70 thousand Kurds have returned

“The local police in Afrin have given us the latest figures, saying that 71,000 Kurds have returned to their homes in Afrin, but it is not clear how many families they are,” Azad Osman, an Afrin local council member, told Rudaw.

Osman, however, lamented that “armed groups” have occupied Kurdish houses, demanding money as ransom for returning the properties.

“They continue to take money from the Kurds who are returning,” Osman stated. “Some groups either take no money or very little, but the al-Amshat group requires a lot of money and they now charge $1,000 to $1,500 for any family that wants to return to the area they control.”

The Suleiman Shah Brigade, also known as al-Amshat after its commander Mohammad Hussein al-Jassim (Abu Amsha), is sanctioned by the US Treasury over grave human rights violations committed in Afrin, including abductions and extortion.

Osman said they expect all Arab settlers to leave Afrin by May “because they want to return to their hometowns,” adding that thousands continue to leave the Kurdish city.

The return process to Afrin has also seen arrests. Osman said that young people returning have been detained by armed groups on charges of links to the Kurdish-led administration in Rojava.

According to Osman, an administrative decision has been made to replace armed groups in Afrin with a local police force - a decision he called “important” for the city’s Kurds.

“With the withdrawal of the armed groups, the police force will replace them,” he said.

Afrin, previously under the control of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), was seized by Turkey and its allied Syrian militia groups in a military campaign code-named Operation Olive Branch in 2018. The YPG is the backbone of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that control northeast Syria.

Hundreds of thousands of Kurds fled Afrin in the face of the offensive, mostly residing in the nearby Shahba region.

As a coalition of rebels led by the Islamist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) were marching on Damascus and toppling Assad’s regime, Ankara-backed militants who call themselves the Syrian National Army (SNA) attacked the SDF in Shahba and took control of the area, causing a new wave of displacement from the region to other areas under Kurdish control.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/27012025

[Anthea]

Syrian Forces Take Control of Afrin

From Turkish-Backed SNA

Syrian Public Security Forces entered Afrin on Thursday morning, taking control of the city from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), local sources said

A convoy of 60 vehicles belonging to the security forces of the interim Syrian government arrived in Afrin to oversee the transition, which aims to restructure military control, resolve factional conflicts, and enforce a new administrative framework, Kurdistan 24 reported.

The deployment marks a significant shift in governance for Afrin, a city under Turkish influence since 2018.

Footage the arrival of the security forces, who took over checkpoints and key facilities previously controlled by SNA factions. This move follows months of negotiations and growing concerns over lawlessness, infighting among armed groups, and accusations of human rights abuses against local civilians.

While some residents expressed cautious optimism, hoping the transition would bring stability and curb militia influence, others voiced skepticism about whether it would lead to genuine security improvements. Protesters gathered in the city, holding banners demanding stronger law enforcement, institutional governance, and the release of detainees.

For years, Afrin has suffered from fragmented rule, with different villages falling under the control of separate armed factions, leading to instability and a lack of unified governance. The establishment of a centralized security force is seen as an attempt to enforce legal structures and restore order.

However, the development raises questions about Afrin’s future and its role in Syria’s broader conflict. It remains unclear how the shift in control will impact Turkey’s influence in the region or whether the new security forces will be able to dismantle entrenched militia networks.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/874486

[Anthea]

Wave of Abductions in Afrin

The number of civilians abducted in northwest Syria’s (Rojava) Kurdish-majority enclave of Afrin has risen sharply, with 87 kidnappings recorded since the beginning of 2025, according to the Violations Documentation Center (VDC)

The latest wave of abductions, allegedly carried out by Turkish-backed militia groups, has raised concerns over continued human rights violations in the region

The VDC reported on Saturday that “28 civilians have been abducted” in Afrin in recent days, adding to the total number of disappearances this year. The rights monitor accused the Syrian National Army (SNA)—an umbrella group of Turkey-backed militia forces—of raiding homes, looting property, and arbitrarily detaining civilians.

“Citizens are regularly abducted from their homes, which are stormed, searched, looted, and destroyed,” the VDC stated. Official statistics indicate that among the 87 individuals kidnapped this year, two are children under 18, and six are women.

Afrin has been under the control of the SNA since 2018, when Turkish-backed forces launched Operation Olive Branch to expel Kurdish-led forces from the region. Since then, the area has been plagued by forced displacements, arbitrary detentions, and property seizures, with international human rights organizations frequently documenting abuses against the Kurdish population.

The VDC reported 700 kidnappings in 2024, 461 in 2023, and over 720 in 2022, warning that the real numbers are likely higher. It also documented cases of civilians dying under torture in SNA-controlled territories

According to the watchdog, most of these abductions occur in areas held by the SNA and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a militant faction that controls parts of northwestern Syria. Many of the detainees remain missing, and their fate is unknown.

The latest abductions coincide with a separate incident involving arrests of civilians who raised the Kurdistan flag during a recent visit by Damascus-affiliated security forces to Afrin. After the forces left, multiple people were detained, sparking further outrage.

Kamal Akif, spokesperson for the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), called the arrests “worrisome” and demanded a formal clarification from the new Syrian authorities regarding the purpose of their visit to Afrin.

The Kurdish-led DAANES administration has long advocated for the return of displaced Afrin residents and the removal of Turkish-backed militias from the region. It has also urged international bodies to intervene and address human rights violations against the local Kurdish population.

The sharp rise in kidnappings in Afrin underscores the ongoing instability and insecurity in the region. With rival factions, foreign-backed militias, and the Syrian government competing for influence, civilians—particularly the Kurdish population—continue to bear the brunt of violence and repression

As human rights organizations sound the alarm over enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests, the demand for accountability and protection of Afrin’s residents remains unfulfilled. The region's uncertain future depends on whether international actors will take decisive steps to curb ongoing human rights violations and ensure justice for those affected.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/874684

[Anthea]

Armed thieves rob elderly man

as crime increases in Afrin

Armed thieves broke into the home of a 65-year-old man in Afrin, beating him and stealing cash, a human rights monitor said on Thursday, adding that incidents like this are happening more frequently and going unpunished

“The armed thieves broke into his house at night, beat the elderly man severely, causing injuries to his face and hands, and stole 300 US dollars and 1,600 Turkish liras, which were the man's savings. They also damaged the furniture and caused chaos and panic in the house,” read a statement from the Human Rights Organization-Afrin.



The 65-year-old victim, Hanif Ahmed Abdo, speaking in a video published by Welat TV, said that they broke into his home in Ain Dara at 2 am on Wednesday morning and did not leave until around 5:30 am.

This reported robbery is the latest in an apparent rise in theft and assault crimes targeting the homes of elderly people living alone, especially in villages.

“The people of Afrin city and its countryside are exposed daily to incidents of theft, robbery, and looting. These incidents have increased in the absence of justice and accountability, leaving thieves and criminals to operate freely under the watch of Turkish occupation forces and factions supported by Turkey, without any accountability,” said the Human Rights Organization-Afrin.

In another incident, forces of the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade imposed a $500 extortion fee on an elderly Kurdish man in the countryside of Afrin on Thursday, taking his money by force, according to the monitor

Afrin is a Kurdish-majority region in northwest Syria that is under the control of militia groups that seized the area seven years ago. Many families were displaced and the militias have committed numerous violations against the Kurdish population that remained, drawing international condemnation.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /140220251

[Anthea]

Kurds' joy over fall of dictator turns to fear

Jihan, the mother of three daughters, was sitting outside her tent when she noticed a massive chaos engulfing the camp as a shell dropped nearby. She rushed to check on her daughters while blood was covering her face in shards

Only hours have passed until the evacuation of the camp, which is populated by thousands of migrants from Afrin, began to an unknown destination. The Documentation Center trusted the displacement of 150 thousand Kurds in Al-Shahba region of Aleppo countryside towards East Al-Frat. Losing contact with more than 70 Kurdish citizens, 22 of them have been documented killed by Turkish militias.

With the Turkish occupation of the city of Afrin, in March 2018, thousands of Kurds had to leave their homes towards the Shehba area near the village of Aleppo, where some of them settled in the camps and started a new life in the hope of returning to their homes, settled by families of pro-Turkey armed militia.

Jihan doesn't know any news about her husband who was abducted by militia "Sulaiman Shah" (Amshat), but a mediator asked her 30 thousand dollars to release him, an amount she has nothing of.

Jihan, along with her daughters, and other Kurds in Syria did not have the opportunity to celebrate the fall of Bashar Al-Assad regime, the Turkish bombing today, the massacres, the attacks of the National Army militia, and the threats on social media that prolong the Kurds and call for their elimination and evacuation.

Jihan's father was abducted 11 years ago by a detainer of the fourth band led by Maher Al-Assad and his fate is unknown to this day. The news of the regime's fall spread until she received a shell and was forced to leave her tent to the unknown.

Jihan says: "I was terrified, we were hoping to return home in Afrin, but now we are being displaced again, I don't know where to go, my diary has become further away."

In Kubani, the city known for its symbolism in defeating the Islamic State, the danger is increasing, especially after pro-Turkish militias, with Turkish-backed, invaded the city of Manbaj, forcing a large part of its Kurdish population to leave fearing kidnapping, killing, retaliation operations and a security flop.

The Documentation Center and Trusts 20 thousand left their homes, mostly Kurds, fearing retaliation and kidnapping, the militia "Hamzat, Amshat" seized and both were subjected to American sanctions on their homes and dozens of Kurds were kidnapped who could not leave, killed a Kurdish woman and injured her child with verbal wounds.

The Chrin Dam has become a major conflict point, especially after Turkey stepped up its air strikes and sent thousands of armed men to storm it, which could be a disaster for the residents of East Al-Furat, where they will be denied electricity, just as the residents of Al-Hasaka were denied water after Turkish militias took control of Aluk station in Ras Al-Ain.

Since the overthrow of President Bashar Al-Assad in early December, Turkey has risen from its attacks on the self-governing area, leaving 25 civilians martyred, plus 403 Syrian Democratic Forces fighters, and hundreds injured, according to the documentation center. Turkish raids and its militia attacks haven't stopped since.

In Afrin alone, 61 Kurdish citizens were kidnapped and tortured. "They destroyed our joy, we know nothing about my father, and we don't have the 16,000 dollars that the Hamzat militia is asking to release him," says Rogda, the daughter of one of those kidnapped

In Kubani, the young Gomard says that Turkish planes do not stop flying over the city every day, and bombard several areas to stir panic and fear among residents. "People here are used to the sounds of bombings, flying marches, Turkish bombings, news of military crowds to occupy the city and campaigns on social platforms. This makes us worry and fear of the future."

Three people in the Turkish attacks testified from the family of Gomard, saying "We didn't get a chance to talk about the fall of the regime of Assad, which arrested me and tortured me for six months in the Palestine branch without knowing why, and today also I do not know why Turkish planes have to drop their missiles on us every day and kill and injure our people," he adds. "We have been living without electricity for two months due to the attacks targeting the bridge of Chrin, the station that feeds the city with electricity."

The house of the citizen Saleh Hamo in Ashma village in Kobani countryside was bombed by a march plane, injuring 9 of his children and martyred their youngest, who is two years old, her name is Gilan Hamo, saying: "I don't know what was the fault of my little girl Gilan, who is not only two years old, we are farmers. A Turkish plane bombed my house And they destroyed it, killed my child, and the rest suffered verbal wounds.

Delsha, 18 years old, lost her leg while returning from school, a Turkish bombardment targeted a health center in the city of Qamshlo saying "People here don't care what happens in Damascus and the rest of Syrian cities are busy timing bombing through Turkish marches, siegeing them and burying their loved ones and the horror of incitement campaigns in the media Syrian media that doesn't cover what is happening from daily crimes they have been prolonged.

Since the announcement of the fall of Bashar Al-Assad regime, no attacks have been recorded in Syrian cities except the Kurdish region, where fighting and bombing through various types of weapons with air support from the Turkish Air Force has been accelerated, and the number of victims of these attacks has exceeded a thousand people.

Turkey has occupied vast areas of Syrian territory since 2016, through three wars, during which it committed war crimes, bombarded populated cities and villages, and killed hundreds of Syrians. The Turkish armed forces have also displaced more than a million Syrians from their homes in three major northern Syria cities, after two military operations ended in the occupation of Afrin, Ras Al Ain, and Tel Abeyd.

Residents of areas targeted by Turkish attacks live in a state of constant terror and anxiety, where the fate of many abductees remains unknown, as displacement and deprivation of the simplest settlements of life intensifies. While some hoped that the fall of the Syrian regime would mark a new beginning, they found themselves facing double suffering from the ongoing occupation and migration.

The hope remains unchanged that these displaced people will one day be able to return to their homes and restore their normal lives away from war and destruction.

The systematic campaigns aimed at uprooting the Kurds from their lands

dispersing or destroying them

MUST STOP

[Anthea]

More Kurds return to Afrin

after Damascus-SDF deal

A Kurdish politician on Thursday said that the number of Kurds returning to Afrin in northwest Syria has significantly increased after the agreement between the new Syrian administration and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as Arab settlers continue to leave the city

“Exact statistics are not available, but after the March 10 agreement, Kurdish returns have significantly increased, to the point where people are returning to their areas minute by minute,” Ahmed Hassan told Rudaw. He is the head of the local council for the Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC) - a coalition of Kurdish political parties that is considered the main opposition in Western Kurdistan.

“Arab settlers are also returning in large numbers, and there are villages where no Arabs remain,” Hassan added.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi signed a landmark agreement on Monday to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus. The agreement recognizes the Kurds as an integral part of Syria, includes a countrywide ceasefire, and stipulates the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.

In 2018, Turkey and its allied Syrian militias seized control of Afrin, a Kurdish enclave in northwest Syria. Thousands of Kurds fled, many moving to the nearby Shahba region and families displaced from elsewhere in Syria moved into Afrin.

International organizations have recorded numerous human rights violations against Afrin’s Kurdish population since 2018, including killings, kidnappings, looting of agricultural crops, cutting down of olive trees, and imposing taxes on farmers.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Afrin in mid-February and met with locals, the majority of whom were Kurds. He pledged to remove armed groups and put an end to the violations, a representative from ENKS who attended the meeting told Rudaw.

Kurds returning to Afrin are no longer subjected to imprisonment or forced to pay levies. Displaced families returning to their homes had been forced to pay fees, ranging from $1,000 to $1,500.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /130320251

[Anthea]

Afrin’s Kurds freely celebrate Newroz

Residents of the Kurdish city of Afrin in northwest Syria were able to freely celebrate Newroz (the New Year) for the first time since the enclave was invaded by militia groups seven years ago

"We have been preparing for this year's Newroz for four to five months. This Newroz is the first after the overthrow of the dictatorial regime of Bashar al-Assad. This regime was truly oppressive and dictatorial,” Ahmed Hassan, the head of the local council for the Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC), told Rudaw during the celebration on Friday.

ENKS is a coalition of Kurdish political parties that is considered the main opposition in Western Kurdistan. The umbrella group, which used to be part of the Turkey-backed anti-Assad opposition, has had an office in Afrin for years. It sponsored the Newroz celebration, which was held on top of the iconic Kurd Mountain.

Turkey and the Syrian militia groups it supports took control of Afrin in March 2018 following a military campaign against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). The militia groups committed numerous human rights violations, especially against the Kurdish population, documented by local and international organizations. Hundreds of thousands of Kurds fled the city to YPG-held areas.

Kurds who remained in Afrin were barred from freely celebrating Newroz by the militia groups who are still in control.

After the fall of the Assad regime, many Kurds have returned to Afrin and are finally able to publicly celebrate one of the most important holidays in the Kurdish calendar.

"This is the first Newroz that is being celebrated so joyfully,” Hassan said.

A resident of Afrin spoke to Rudaw and congratulated all Kurds on Newroz, saying, "Afrin is nice and we will not give up Afrin until death.”

The new authority in Damascus, which came to power after toppling Assad in December, has been accused of sidelining minorities in its recently adopted constitutional declaration and key decision-making bodies. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government, however, is cautious when dealing with minorities as respecting human rights is one of the conditions imposed by the international community for lifting Assad-era sanctions.

After reopening her country’s embassy in Damascus on Thursday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with Sharaa and reminded him that the new Syria has to be equally safe for everyone.

“Representatives of Kurds, Christians and Alawites with whom I spoke today warn against giving in to a threatening division along sectarian lines. In my long conversation with transitional President al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister [Asaad] al-Shaibani, I emphasized once again: Syria will only be safe if it is equally safe for everyone,” she said on Instagram.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/22032025

[Anthea]

Afrin celebrate Newroz
after Eight Years of Change

"In Afrin," the activist concluded, her voice unwavering, "the fire of Newroz will never die, like the memory of Bavê Kal (the late Kurdish Legendary leader Mullah Mostafa Barzani).”
By Ahora Qadi

Erbil (Kurdistan24) — After eight years of muted celebrations, the Kurdish people of Afrin reclaimed their tradition this year, marking Newroz with renewed determination. For the first time since the city fell under the control of armed factions (al-Amshat & al-Hamzat), the flames of Newroz blazed openly, symbolizing resilience, resistance, and hope for Kurdish unity.

In exclusive interviews with Kurdistan24, Ahmed Hassan, head of Afrin’s Local Council for the Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNCS), and a women’s rights activist from Afrin shared their experiences, highlighting the challenges faced, the strength of Kurdish resilience, and the renewed hope brought by recent political developments.

Enduring the Demographic Shift

On Mar. 18, 2018, Arab militias entered Afrin, leading to a systematic effort to alter the region’s demographic fabric. Kurdish families were forcibly displaced, with thousands fleeing to Shahba and Aleppo, while displaced Arab families from Ghouta, Homs, and Hama were resettled in Afrin, establishing camps and settlements.

Hassan, explaining how the demographic shift was accompanied by violence and persecution. “Kurdish homes were seized, and their lands were confiscated,” he said. “Arab families were brought in, and settlements were built to consolidate the demographic change.”

The activist echoed this sentiment

"Entire forests were cut down, archaeological sites were looted, and our historical identity was erased,” the woman rights activist told Kurdistan24. “The abuse wasn’t just physical; it targeted our culture, our homes, and our connection to the land.”

However, both emphasized the resilience of Afrin’s Kurdish identity. “With determination, people are reclaiming their homes,” Hassan said. “We are overcoming demographic change as more Kurds return and settlers gradually leave.”

The Return of Newroz

For the first time in eight years, Afrin celebrated Newroz without fear. Previous celebrations were met with repression, including arrests and killings, such as the Jindires massacre, where four Kurds were killed for lighting the symbolic fire.

"This year, we lit the fires freely," said the activist. "We celebrated in our villages, waving Kurdish flags and dancing with pride. Despite intimidation, we stood our ground."

Ahmed Hassan, head of Afrin’s Local Council for the KNCS, described this year’s Newroz as a culmination of resilience. “We called for widespread participation, and thousands responded, igniting fires across villages. The celebration was unprecedented.” Major events in Maydanki and Burj Abdalo, supported by internal security forces, turned into a “grand carnival that lifted the spirits of all Afrinis.”

Hassan added, “This year’s Newroz carried a powerful message of resistance and determination. It was a celebration of our Kurdish identity — a declaration that we are still here.”

A Spirit of Unity Inspired by Barzani

President Masoud Barzani’s call for Kurdish unity resonated deeply in Afrin, especially after his historic meeting with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi, sparking hope for a unified Kurdish front in Syria.

“President Barzani’s initiative has strengthened the Kurdish people,” said Ahmed Hassan. “His leadership and commitment to unifying Kurdish voices gave this Newroz special significance. Afrin celebrated with a renewed sense of belonging.”

the women’s rights activist echoed this, stating, “We trust President Barzani to unify the Kurdish voice. If achieved, it could reverse forced demographic changes. Afrin can once again belong to its people, not symbolize occupation.”

Ongoing Challenges Under the Armed Factions

Despite the formation of a new security administration, al-Hamzat & al-Amshat factions remain active in Afrin, with ongoing reports of human rights violations, including intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and economic exploitation.

“The factions acted as though they had liberated Afrin from its people,” said the activist. “They justified their actions under the pretext of fighting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), but the real target was Kurdish identity.”

Ahmed Hassan warned, “Without sustained Kurdish unity, abuses will continue. A unified stance will strengthen our voice and demand accountability for the crimes committed here.”

Cultural Suppression and Resistance

Efforts to erase Kurdish culture extended beyond the demographic changes. Kurdish traditions, language, and heritage were systematically attacked, with schools promoting Turkish culture and religious extremism. Many Kurdish residents were forced to conceal their identity, abandon traditional clothing, and avoid speaking their language in public.

The woman rights activist recounted how even traditional Kurdish celebrations like Newroz were forbidden. “We were called ‘fire worshippers’ and ‘infidels,’” she said. “But this year’s Newroz was our declaration that no force can erase who we are.”

A Call to Kurdish Leaders and the International Community

Addressing Kurdish leaders, both Ahmed Hassan and the activist called on President Barzani and Commander Abdi to maintain their efforts for unity.

“All Kurds across the four parts of Kurdistan must support President Masoud Barzani, the spiritual father of Kurdish nationalism and a pivotal Kurdistani leader,” Hassan said. “As a symbol of our identity and existence, relying on president Barzani’s leadership is a Kurdish duty for our collective salvation.”

“We trust your leadership and stand with you,” The activist said. “Your leadership is our strength, and we rely on your determination to secure our rights.”

Looking Forward

As the fires of Newroz illuminate the night skies of Afrin, they symbolize the enduring spirit of a people who refuse to be silenced. "With the return of our people, Afrin will rise again," the activist said. "We will restore our heritage, rebuild our lands, and ensure that the Kurdish identity thrives."

Ahmed Hassan echoed this hope, affirming that the resilience of Afrin’s people will shape the city’s future. “We have endured pain and loss, but we will never surrender our identity. With unity and determination, we will reclaim Afrin’s Kurdish essence.”

"In Afrin," the activist concluded, her voice unwavering, "the fire of Newroz will never die, like the memory of Bavê Kal (the late Kurdish Legendary leader Mullah Mostafa Barzani).”

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... hic-change