There have been 420 counts of violations of rights and freedoms of people in northern Syria by Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) factions since the start of 2023, North Press Agency has reported.
North Press have reported the death of 19 individuals and the injury of 71 others in SNA-controlled regions of northern Syria, namely Afrin (Efrîn), Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad, in the first quarter of 2023. There have also been 21 reported cases of robbery and 33 cases of appropriation of civilian property where SNA factions used guns against civilians, the agency said. SNA factions also illegally cut down 5,238 trees in the regions in that timeframe.
In addition, 307 people have been arrested by SNA factions, including 191 asylum seekers who were handed over by Turkish border guards. While 211 of these people have since been released, the location and wellbeing of the 96 others is unknown. Furthermore, the 211 released have had to pay large amounts of money to secure their freedom, the agency reported.
Five civilians were killed by the Ahrar Al-Sharqiyah faction during Newroz celebrations in Jindires.
In February, after the devastating twin earthquakes, SNA factions disrupted aid from reaching victims.
