The Violations Documentation Centre has reported a disturbing spike in abductions in Afrin (Efrîn), northern Syria, with 19 people abducted in the past month. The Turkish-controlled region, which has been under occupation since 2018, continues to witness numerous human rights violations, mainly affecting the Kurdish and Yazidi populations.
According to the report, the abductions took place between 1 and 9 September, with Turkish-backed forces and affiliated paramilitary groups responsible for the abductions. The identities of the victims were published by Hawar news agency, drawing attention to the continuing human toll in the occupied territory.
Afrin, once a predominantly Kurdish town, has faced increasing violence and human rights abuses since coming under Turkish control. A recent report published by the Rojava Information Centre (RIC), documenting violations throughout 2023, revealed that more than 2,200 crimes were committed in the Afrin region in that year alone. “These crimes were committed in 1,201 separate incidents and affected at least 1,710 victims,” the RIC said. The report also found that the Syrian National Army (SNA) was responsible for the vast majority of these crimes, followed by unknown perpetrators and Turkish-affiliated military police.
The RIC report highlighted the systematic persecution of the Kurdish and Yazidi populations, who have been subjected to torture, enforced disappearances and kidnappings for ransom. Arabs associated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) were also targeted by the occupying forces. Local communities in Afrin continue to suffer property confiscation, forced displacement and illegal taxation under the Turkish-backed occupation.
This latest wave of abductions and ongoing violations in Afrin raises serious concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation and the future of the region under Turkish occupation.
