An Afrin resident who returned to his region within the eighth batch under the January 19 agreement confirmed to the Kurdish Hawar News Agency (ANHA) the ongoing occupation of their homes by incoming families, who refuse to leave so far.
The citizen explained that incoming families had seized his house in the city of Afrin and demanded a payment of $2,500 USD in exchange for evacuating and returning it to him. He noted that he had filed complaints with the relevant authorities, but to no avail so far.
These practices were not limited to houses; they also included the seizure of vast areas of agricultural land, coupled with demands for financial sums to reclaim them.
In the Shiye (Sheikh al-Hadid) district, sources reported that the (30th Brigade) and the (25th Division), led by (Abu Amsha), are imposing their control over the area and extorting money from the residents. Additionally, they have converted the post office building and three civilian homes into military and logistical headquarters, banning civilians from approaching them.
Information indicates that 521 families affiliated with armed factions reside in the Shiye district, while the number of families in the city of Afrin is estimated at around 5,000, most of whom hail from the Deir ez-Zor Governorate.
The roots of the crisis trace back to the occupation of Afrin in 2018 by the Turkish state and its loyal factions, which led to the displacement of the indigenous population and a demographic change in the region through the settlement of the families of faction members coming from Idlib, Deir ez-Zor, Azaz, Hama, and Homs.
Despite the January 19 agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Interim Government, which stipulates guaranteeing the safe return of displaced persons, thousands of homes remain occupied by the families of armed factions without being evacuated.
Note: This text is translated from the original Arabic version. Read the Arabic version:Click here
