Lelun Afrin

The Lelun Association for Victims, a survivor-led organization representing victims of arbitrary detention and human rights violations from across Syria—including the Afrin region—has contributed to a major investigative report by CNN, published on June 12, 2025, titled: “Women detail alleged abuses carried out by militia under commander now in Syria’s top military brass.” The CNN investigation reveals grave violations committed …

“If the people one day will to live, then fate must surely heed their call.” These words resonate deeply with Youssef Ahmad (a pseudonym), a survivor of arbitrary detention by factions affiliated with the Syrian National Army (SNA) in Afrin. His story is one of resilience, pain, and an unyielding pursuit of freedom and justice. Ahmad recounts his early life: …

This report documents serious human rights violations committed by factions affiliated with the Syrian National Army (SNA) in detention centers under their control in northwestern Syria, particularly following their takeover of the Afrin region, northwestern Syria, in March 2018. The report is based on verified testimonies from 10 individuals—either former detainees or relatives of detainees—who were subjected to arbitrary detention, …

By Fatima My name is Fatima, a woman in her fifties. I was born and raised among the olive trees of a quiet village in Afrin, northwestern Syria, where peace wrapped around us like a soft breeze and beauty lived in even the most modest corners. We had little, but it was enough. Our home, made of stone and clay, …

Systematic human rights violations against the indigenous population of Afrin, located in northwestern Syria, continue to intensify. These abuses coincide with significant political developments in Syria, including the declared “fall of the previous regime,” the release of detainees from government prisons, and the restructuring of military factions, with members of the “Syrian National Army” being incorporated into the newly formed …

Like any young woman, I dreamt of my white wedding dress and my university graduation day, believing that in those moments, I would hold the entire world in my hands. I never asked for much—just a simple dress that reflected my heart and circumstances, a modest home with the man I love. But I never imagined that dreams could shatter …

On January 20, 2018, Turkish forces and Turkish-backed factions of the Syrian National Army launched a military offensive on the Syrian region of Afrin under the name “Operation Olive Branch.” By March 18, 2018, the region was fully occupied. This operation forcibly displaced hundreds of thousands of indigenous residents, leaving behind an ongoing humanitarian tragedy. Over the past seven years, …

The Afrin region in northwestern Syria has witnessed a sharp increase in property rights violations targeting indigenous residents and recently returned displaced individuals. These violations are primarily perpetrated by factions of the Syrian National Army (SNA) and settlers under their protection. Following the collapse of the previous Syrian regime and the return of many forcibly displaced individuals from neighboring countries …

The testimonies and documented evidence in this report, prepared by researchers from the Lelun Association for Victims, reveal a profound transformation in the religious and cultural practices in Afrin, northwestern Syria, post-2018. What was once a region known for coexistence and ethnic diversity has been reshaped into a landscape where minorities face identity erasure, intimidation, displacement, and property confiscation, in …

My name is Layla, and this is my story—a tale of love, loss, endurance, and a fragile hope for a brighter future. It begins in the tranquil days before Operation Olive Branch on Afrin region in northwestern Syria in March 2018, a turning point that forever altered my life and left indelible scars. I lived a peaceful life with my …