The Turkish-backed “Liwa al-Waqas” mercenaries have kidnapped three residents of the Hekja village, in Shiye district of Afrin.

The three civilians were identified as Cemîl Zekeriye Tane (35), Mihemed Ednan Tamir (37)  and Ehmed Betal Ibrahîm (30).

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.

The spokesperson of the Afrin Human Rights Organization, İbrahim Şêxo, remarked that the Turkish state was not satisfied with the occupation of Afrin, Serekaniye and Girê Spi, and sought now to expand its occupation toward other regions.

“The invaders are committing all kinds of crimes in the areas they have occupied and they have increased criminal acts especially after the NATO meeting on June 28. In the meantime, Turkey is threatening to invade other parts of Syria,” Şêxo said.