The Turkish-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as al-Nusra Front, have kidnapped four residents of the Kefermize village in Afrin’s Shera district.

The kidnapped civilians who were taken to an unknown place were identified as Hîlal Osman, Casim Ocalan, Cuma Mistefa Osman and Qusey Henan Osman.

The Turkish state has established a regime of terror in the territories it has invaded together with jihadist groups under its control. Crimes such as kidnapping, execution, torture, plundering and forced migration have become a daily routine and war crimes are systematically committed, especially in the canton of Afrin, which has been occupied since March 2018.

Kidnappings of civilians are part of the daily routine. In most cases, a ransom is demanded for their release. In recent years, thousands of people have been kidnapped and tortured. Some have been executed, the fate of others is unknown.

In the first six months of this year, the invaders kidnapped 346 citizens, 30 of whom were women, and killed 18 citizens.

On the other hand, 8,500 trees were cut down, and more than 100 trees were burned, while tens of hectares of forests and fields were burned.

Following the NATO meeting in Madrid, Spain on June 30, the Turkish state has increased its crimes against the people in North and East Syria, specifically in the regions it has occupied together with jihadist allies.

According to the Afrin-Syrian Human Rights Organization, Turkey has increased its crimes of killing, kidnapping and harassing citizens in the occupied regions in order to displace the local population and to undermine the security of the region. Moreover, the Turkish state, which threatens to invade Til Rifat and Manbij, is currently targeting the civilian people with tanks, bombings and fighter jets.