Afrin: 22 People Arrested in July 2021, Including a Woman and Child

Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) documented the arrests of at least 22 people, including a child and a woman, by members of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) in July 2021. Only two of the detainees were released, the fate of the other 21, among them a child, remaining unknown as of the completion of this report on 2 August 2021.

Unfortunately, this report covers only the arrests in four out of Afrin’s seven districts throughout July: Rajo, Bulbul, Maabatli/Mabeta, and Afrin district. STJ could not verify the arrests made in Shaykh Al-Hadid, Sharran, and Jindires districts.

STJ’s documents the arrests made in Afrin through credible reports by field researchers and local sources, witnesses, and SNA members.

Arrests in Afrin District

Afrin district witnessed the arrest of two men by the Military Police. Neither of the men were released.

1. Kamal Ja’afar Muhammad was arrested on 3 July from the village of Altania by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
2. Abd al-Salam Alo, 40, was arrested on 27 July from the city of Afrin by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.

Arrests in Rajo District

Afrin district witnessed the arrest of six people, among them a child, by the Military Police. Only one of the detainees was released.

1. Ragheb Ahmed Alo, 32, was arrested on 8 July from the village of Deka by members of the Military Police. He was later released.
2. Mustafa Muhammad Bakr, 42, was arrested on 13 July from the village of Dudiah by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
3. Khalid Mustafa Hussein, 44, was arrested on 26 July from the village of Musako‎ by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
4. Rami Omar Qurrah, 19, was arrested on 26 July from the village of Musako‎ by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
5. Doghan Hussein, 24, was arrested on 26 July from the village of Haj Khalil village‎ by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
6. Mervan Ali Sheikho, only 14-years-old, was arrested on 26 July from the village of Musako‎ by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.

Arrests in Bulbul District

Bulbul district witnessed the arrests of three people. Their fate remains unknown.

1. Ahmed Rasheed Hussein, 50, was arrested on 24 July from the village of Kela by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
2. Aslan Shekhmous Habash, 38, was arrested on 24 July from the village of Kela by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
3. Emad Arab was arrested on 24 July from the village of Kela by members of the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.

Arrests in Maabatli/Mabeta District

Maabatli/Mabeta district witnessed the arrests of seven people, among them a woman, by members of the Military Police. Only the woman was released — the fate of the other detainees remains unknown.

1. Asia Ahmed Haidar was arrested on 2 July from the village of Kanakh by members of the Military Police. She was later released.
2. Ali Muhammad Khalil, 22, was arrested on 7 July from the village of Kokan Foqani by the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
3. Hamoudi Nazmi Na’aso was arrested on 17 July from the village of Kakhra by the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
4. Abderraouf Sheikh Sidi, 50, was arrested on 23 July from the village of Shekhotka by the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
5. Hameed Adnan Muhammad Hamajwas arrested on 24 July from the village of Semalka by the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
6. Nihad Berm, 45, was arrested on 27 July from the village of Shurba by the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.
7. Abdeen Omar, 55, was arrested on 7 July from the village of Shurba by the Military Police on charges of having links with the Autonomous Administration. His fate remains unknown.