Lelun Afrin
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, torture, and other abuses.
The testimonies reveal a systematic pattern of violations, including arbitrary arrests, physical and psychological torture, sexual harassment and violence, extortion, coerced confessions, and enforced disappearances. They also point to collusion between various armed factions and Turkish intelligence, as detainees are often transferred between multiple detention facilities in Afrin, Azaz, al-Bab, and at times into Turkish territory.
The report highlights numerous cases of home raids, arbitrary arrests at checkpoints, and detentions during forced displacement operations. Detainees are frequently accused without evidence, facing charges such as “collaboration with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)” or “affiliation with the People’s Protection Units (YPG),” which are commonly used as pretexts for arrest and financial extortion.
Documented methods of torture include beatings with various instruments, electric shocks, the Blanco method (the detainee is suspended from his wrists by a rope on a track connected to a pulley and raised until only the tips of his toes touch the ground.), deprivation of food and water, verbal abuse, and psychological torture. Detainees are also subjected to constant death threats. In the case of female detainees, the report records incidents of rape, sexual harassment, and violations of privacy in bathrooms and wash areas.
The report also details a systematic extortion scheme, where families are forced to pay ransoms ranging from several hundred to tens of thousands of US dollars in exchange for the release of detainees. In many cases, the detainees’ property is also confiscated. The testimonies frequently describe detainees as being treated as “spoils” to be traded for financial gain.
Furthermore, the report sheds light on the severe psychological and physical consequences endured by survivors following their release, including permanent disabilities, acute psychological disorders, loss of speech, sleep disturbances, persistent fear, and deep trauma that prevents them from returning to a normal life.
In conclusion, the report finds that these practices constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law and may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. It underscores the urgent need to hold those responsible accountable.
You may read and download the full version of this report (17 pages) in PDF format by clicking here.