The people of Afrin are confronted daily with the horrors of war. In addition to heavy artillery shelling and bombardments of their villages by the Turkish army and its jihadist militias, civilians are abducted by the jihadist militia and extorted ransom every day. In addition, Turkish-backed militias repeatedly demand extortion from the villagers.

Just yesterday, the pro-Turkish militia Jabhat al-Hamza kidnapped civilian Fuad Ali from the village of Serqiya and demanded a ransom of 50 million Syrian liras from his relatives in order to release him. It is not the first time that Ali has been kidnapped. He had previously been kidnapped and released in return for 25 million Syrian liras.

Also in the village of Şêxbilê in the Rajo district there were three kidnappings yesterday. Those abducted here are 50-year-old Mihemed Ehmed, 75-year-old Şukri Ehmed and one other person aged 32.

The occupation forces also use the feast of sacrifice to impose extortion. For example, in the villages of Kızılbash and Bêlê in Bilbile district, the militias extort $ 200 per capita.

The inhumane practices of the Turkish forces and allied militias have increased, especially in recent months. Bombing, kidnapping, torture and detention have become daily acts of the occupation forces. Since the beginning of July, several hundred people have been abducted. In the last twenty days of July alone, more than 300 people were abducted.

Attacks of the Turkish state and its mercenary allies against the Afrin city and region began on 20 January 2018 and the invasion of the city by land was carried out on 18 March.

Since the invasion, war crimes have been systematically committed in the region. The demographic structure of the region is being changed and crimes such as seizure of local people's properties, kidnapping of civilians for ransom, torture or executions have been going on on a daily basis.

RELATED NEWS: