Nine more civilians kidnapped in Afrin

Reports of the kidnapping of civilians in the Turkish-occupied Afrin are coming through every day. Nine more civilians have been kidnapped.

Nine civilians were kidnapped by the Faylaq al-Sham mercenary group linked to the Turkish state on Friday morning from the village of Dêrbelût in Jindires.

According to local sources, the names of the kidnapped are: Mihemed Menan Silêman, Mihemed Mihemed Silêman, Loqman Mihemed Abdo, Ehmed Wehîd Şiko, İsmail Şêx, Bekir Mihemed Belker, Jihad Mihemed Xelîl, Şêxmûs Reşid Tahir and Mehmûd Mihemed Izat Fatume.

Nothing is known as to where the civilians have been taken or how their condition is.

On 10 September in Jindires, 14 civilians were kidnapped in the village of Kefer Sefrê. It was reported that the civilians were kidnapped by thegroup called ‘Samarkand Brigade, also linked to the Turkish state.

At least 61 civilians were kidnapped in 12 days

These attacks, targeting civilians, have been scaled up in recent months.

Hundreds of people have been kidnapped since the beginning of July.

In July and August, the number of kidnapped was over 500. According to the ANF, at least 61 people have been kidnapped since the beginning of September. The actual number is estimated to be higher.

Afrin is under the occupation of the Turkish state and its mercenary allies. The attacks of the Turkish state against Afrin began on 20 January 2018 and the invasion of the city was carried out on 18 March 2018.

Since the invasion, war crimes have been systematically committed in the region. Almost every day, crimes such as the confiscation of property belonging to local people, kidnapping of civilians for ransom, torture or executions are carried out.