The Press Office of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported that Turkish-backed mercenaries have launched a large-scale kidnapping and enslavement campaign against civilians besieged in the Shehba region, north of Aleppo.

According to the SDF statement on Thursday, over 120 vehicles carrying hundreds of civilians, who were attempting to evacuate to areas in north and eastern Syria, were abducted and taken to an unknown destination near the Sheikh Najjar area. This action comes two days after these groups obstructed a previously agreed-upon civilian evacuation.

“Furthermore, with the aim of enslavement, these groups have detained over fifteen thousand civilians and abducted a large number of them. The besieged civilians are enduring harsh conditions, facing starvation and water shortages,” SDF stated.