Amnesty International:Turkey must stop serious violations against civilians in Afrin

SAANA, Aug. 2 (YPA)- Amnesty International called on Turkey to stop committing serious human rights abuses against civilians in the northern Syrian Arab Republic of Afrin, accusing Ankara of “disregarding” those violations.

“The people Afrin are enduring a wide range of violations, mostly at the hands of Syrian armed groups that have been equipped and armed by Turkey”, the rights group said in a report published on Wednesday.

These violations include arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and confiscation of property and looting to which Turkey armed forces have turns a blind eye, the report added.

“Turkey’s military offensive and occupation have exacerbated the suffering of Afrin residents, who have already endured years of bloody conflict”, Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director said, adding that” we heard appalling stories of people being detained, tortured or forcibly disappeared by Syrian armed groups, who continue to wreak havoc on civilians, unchecked by Turkish forces.”

Amnesty International called on Ankara to put an immediate end to these violations,” adding that “turkey, as an occupying Power, shoulders its responsibility for ensuring the safety of the population and maintaining order in Afrin.”

E.M