Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) documented that the Military Police— operated by Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) — arrested at least 18 people in Syria’s Kurdish-majority region of Afrin in May 2021. On the day of reporting, the perpetrators had released only five of the detainees, while the fate of the remaining 13 remains unknown.
The Military Police carried out these arrests in four of Afrin’s seven districts. STJ could not verify arrests in Shaykh al-Hadid, Jindires, or Bulbul and recorded a marked decrease in the number of arrests last April compared to previous months.
STJ relied on its network of researchers, civil sources, eyewitnesses, and sources from within the SNA to document arrests and releases across Afrin, aggregating evidence and information into a designated database.
Arrests in Afrin
In Afrin district, the Military Police arrested 10 individuals. Their fate remains unknown.
- Ismail Jamou Haider was arrested on 1 May from the village of Kabāshīn by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Izzeddin Jamou Haider was arrested on 1 May from the village of Kabāshīn by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Diaa Qasim al-Shuhadat was arrested on 20 May from the city of Afrin by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Ahmad Abdulrahman Battal, 40, was arrested on 29 May from the village of Bassouta by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Ali Khalil Khalid, 25, was arrested on 29 May from the village of Bassouta by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Kawa Battal Kheder, 40, was arrested on 29 May from the village of Bassouta by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Bayman Muhammad Tahah Bash, 32, was arrested on 29 May from the village of Bassouta by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Hassan Zaki Hamshou, 48, was arrested on 29 May from the village of Bassouta by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Najib Misto Khalil, 45, was arrested on 29 May from the village of Bassouta by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Khalid Ahmad Rajab, 31, was arrested on 29 May from the village of Bassouta by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
Arrests in Rajo District
In Rajo district, the Military Police arrested three persons. They were all subsequently released.
- Muhammad Shawqi Osman, 65, was arrested on 26 May from the village of Maydān Akbis by members of the Military Police. He was subsequently released.
- Muhammad Ahmad Hourow, 37, was arrested on 26 May from the village of Maydān Akbis by members of the Military Police. He was subsequently released.
- Muhammad Shawqi Bilal was arrested on 26 May from the village of Maydān Akbis by members of the Military Police. He was subsequently released.
Arrests in Maabatli/Mabeta district
In Maabatli/Mabeta district, the Military Police arrested two persons and subsequently released them.
- Muhammad Ahmad was arrested on 5 May from the village of Avrazi by members of the Military Police. He was subsequently released.
- Khalid Na’ssan was arrested on 5 May from the village of Kulika by members of the Military Police. He was subsequently released.
Arrests in Sharran District
In Sharran district, the Military Police arrested three persons. Their fate remains unknown.
- Muhammad Hussain Sido was arrested on 2 May from the village of Darwish by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Idris Khalil Ali was arrested on 2 May from the village of Darwish by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.
- Bashar Osman Osman, 27, was arrested on 29 May from the village of Kafr Janneh by members of the Military Police. His fate remains unknown.