Read on Twitter
What about those who remained in Afrin ?
I spent some time going through @Caki____ 's data on kidnapping and ransoms since January 2018, collecting names and photographs of those who have disappeared using social media reports and activists on the ground. Some sources claim (1) https://twitter.com/DiweenHawezy/status/1332817796175196169
I spent some time going through @Caki____ 's data on kidnapping and ransoms since January 2018, collecting names and photographs of those who have disappeared using social media reports and activists on the ground. Some sources claim (1) https://twitter.com/DiweenHawezy/status/1332817796175196169
numbers far higher (3000+) kidnapped. I tried to stick with just cases with names available where possible and there are likely reports we missed.
Referring to an old case, after 30 months these two girls were apparently released earlier today:
(2)
http://afrinpost.net/en/2020/12/hamzat-militia-released-the-two-jami-sisters-after-forcibly-disappearing-them-for-30-months/
Referring to an old case, after 30 months these two girls were apparently released earlier today:
(2)
http://afrinpost.net/en/2020/12/hamzat-militia-released-the-two-jami-sisters-after-forcibly-disappearing-them-for-30-months/
The factions are notorious, some more than others, for harassing the local population for financial gain. This also extends to IDP's present and new settlers. The political apparatus and military police (linked to Turkey) is also deeply involved. Still working on the unknown
(3)
(3)
Some individuals have been kidnapped more than once. Faylaq Al-Sham which targets Yezidi's explicitly, also kidnaps a higher proportion of women and minors, similar to Hamza Division. The military police is responsible for the majority of identified cases of those kidnapped.
(4)
(4)
The previous UN report highlighted some of this behaviour, but not its magnitude by the factions. Moreso, the large involvement of the military police which according to on ground activists is responsible in handing prisoners to Turkish intelligence.
(5)
https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/45/31
(5)
https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/45/31
Invidivuals are accused of having worked with the previous administration and are thus kidnapped, required to pay large sums of money for release. This can be in Turkish lira. Village mayors, engineers, doctors, e.t.c. Some individuals are kidnapped several times for money.
(6)
(6)
Looking at confirmed ransom cases (which is only 10% of the actual data, where majority have just gone missing) you can see even the civilian police are in on it.
(7)
(7)
One of the girls in the previous video I had posted was accused of having gained a drivers licence with the previous administration and thus was kidnapped on ransom for 10,000 euros which lasted for 30 months.
(8)
(8)
The military police, which has works with Turkish intelligence, is involved in many of these cases. They are however reportedly opening offices to handle civilian complaints.
(9)
https://twitter.com/OmerOzkizilcik/status/1193051236951613445
(9)
https://twitter.com/OmerOzkizilcik/status/1193051236951613445
Omer and SETA mention in this report that the Military police, SNA work closely to faciliate 'transfer of security information'. Some cases of kidnappings have apparently resulted in victims being transferred to Turkey.
(10)
https://setav.org/en/assets/uploads/2020/01/A58En.pdf
(10)
https://setav.org/en/assets/uploads/2020/01/A58En.pdf
Given the limited information, I think it is difficult to conclude Turkey does not have control or is not infact aware of the behaviour of factions within the SNA. I also think it is vital that the UN/NGO's have access to Afrin to monitor and discourage these violations.
(11)
(11)
@_____mjb is attempting to further uncover information regarding women, who underreport sexual assault for cultural reasons during kidnappings/ransoms.
In the data it was hard to confirm who's been released, and who's dead from the still missing category. 85% are 'missing'
(12)
In the data it was hard to confirm who's been released, and who's dead from the still missing category. 85% are 'missing'
(12)
Turkey been taking over institutions in an accelerated manner, population transfers, controlling education (replacing Kurdish in schools, with Turkish) is aware of these violations taking place. It doesnt care or encourages it in pacifying a populace that sees it as occupier
(13)
(13)
Furthermore, 90% of the local population were employed in the olive industry. This has been seized since 2018 (as admitted by the Turkish minister of agriculture Pakdemirli) by the factions who with Turkey export it
see @matthew_petti 's article
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-olive-oil-in-your-local-store-may-be-funding-syrian-warlords
(14)
see @matthew_petti 's article
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-olive-oil-in-your-local-store-may-be-funding-syrian-warlords
(14)
You can see how the factions coordinate with Turkey here in looting the olives, blood money:
(15) https://twitter.com/AKMcKeever/status/1333472148657217544?s=20
(15) https://twitter.com/AKMcKeever/status/1333472148657217544?s=20
What happened in Afrin is an underreported tragedy.
Afrin hosted IDP's before the Turkish invasion.
I expect much like Makhmour the tens of thousands will likely never see their homes or livelihoods ever again, Turkey has made that clear.
https://twitter.com/DiweenHawezy/status/1332817796175196169
(16)
Afrin hosted IDP's before the Turkish invasion.
I expect much like Makhmour the tens of thousands will likely never see their homes or livelihoods ever again, Turkey has made that clear.
https://twitter.com/DiweenHawezy/status/1332817796175196169
(16)
For the data - it's all @Caki____ so ask him nicely. I tweeted analysis with his permission too :) Get him a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/caki____
@_____mjb is also doing more in depth work regarding missing women in Afrin. Follow her work at @AfrinWomen.
@AKMcKeever also passed this link, another site that tracks kidnappings and violations: https://stj-sy.org/en/afrin-135-persons-arrested-and-forcibly-disappeared-in-october-2020/
@AKMcKeever also passed this link, another site that tracks kidnappings and violations: https://stj-sy.org/en/afrin-135-persons-arrested-and-forcibly-disappeared-in-october-2020/
This was huge work. It's difficult without on the ground access by the UN or NGO's to confirm many of the missing or ransomed cases as being alive and well. 85% of cases in the data are still labelled 'missing'.
@threadreaderapp unroll
@threadreaderapp unroll
And yes transferring prisoners to Turkey is very illegal, very international law illegal. The whole thing has illegal stinking from it.
The entire thing is demographic alteration to something Turkey deems acceptable. It's occupation, its ethnic cleansing
https://twitter.com/BonyanOrg/status/1335175332358467584?s=20
The entire thing is demographic alteration to something Turkey deems acceptable. It's occupation, its ethnic cleansing
https://twitter.com/BonyanOrg/status/1335175332358467584?s=20
Stressing again I stuck to identified names/photos where possible, as with sexual assault/rape cases which are underreported due to cultural pressure and intimidation, actual number could be higher, over 3000+ https://twitter.com/Mekut_Mallet/status/1053425076400467968?s=20
Regarding Faylaq Al-Sham, see these tweets. They target Yezidis the most, with lootings ransoms, murders and rapes common against the local populace. They also hosted Al-Qaeda leaders: https://twitter.com/Caki____/status/1335142715663769600?s=19
https://twitter.com/AmyAustinHolmes/status/1311747452991660036?s=19 @AmyAustinHolmes has also recently published an article on the treatment of Yezidis in Afrin under the factions with Turkish military oversight. Over half the Yezidi shrines have been destroyed.
