Lelun Afrin
Abdurrahman Khalil Murshid, born in 1966 in the tranquil village of Miska in Syria’s Afrin region, lived a life shaped by his principles of justice, generosity, and humanity. Growing up in a prosperous and well-respected family, he completed his education in Jindires town, west of Afrin city, and began his career as a trader. Yet, his most defining role was as a quiet advocate for prisoners of conscience.
During the 1990s, Murshid was arrested several times by the Syrian regime for his steadfast support of Kurdish and Syrian activists detained for their beliefs. Following his release, he utilized his resources to secure the freedom of other detainees, often working in secrecy.
“He was a man of deep conviction, fairness, and tireless support for the oppressed,” his daughter Jindar recalls. “Activists and journalists called him the ‘unknown soldier of Syrians’ for his efforts to assist prisoners discreetly and selflessly.”
From Peace to Forced Displacement
Life in Miska was serene until 2018, when Turkey’s “Olive Branch” military operation in Afrin turned their world upside down. Like countless others, Murshid and his family were forced to flee. They first found refuge in the Shahba region, north of Aleppo, before moving to Qamishli and Rmelan.
However, the pain of separation from his homeland weighed heavily on Murshid. Longing to stay close to Afrin, he returned to Shahba, choosing hope over despair. For six years, he lived in Tel Qarah village, holding onto the dream of a dignified return to Afrin. Despite the hardships of displacement, he remained a symbol of integrity, earning admiration from diverse communities across Syria for his neutrality and unwavering advocacy for justice and peace.
A Dignified End Amid Chaos
This fragile existence came to a tragic end during a new wave of conflict. Renewed violence and threats from Turkish-backed factions sent shockwaves through the displaced Afrin community in Shahba. Residents were given hours to evacuate, fearing they would fall into the hands of armed groups notorious for violence.
Murshid joined a massive convoy of fleeing families. Fear gripped the group as they encountered roadblocks and armed men who detained civilians and separated young men from the rest.
When the armed factions approached his vehicle, Murshid found himself trapped. Refusing to face the humiliation and brutality he knew awaited him, he took a heartbreaking stand. “He chose to die with dignity rather than succumb to humiliation,” Jindar said. The sound of his gunshot echoed through the convoy, leaving a haunting memory for all who witnessed it.
The Legacy of Displacement
His family eventually carried his body through the treacherous journey to Hasakah, where Murshid was buried far from his beloved Afrin.
Reflecting on the enduring pain of displacement, Jindar shared: “The sight of families in despair—children crying from hunger, women shivering in the cold, and men begging for guidance—was unbearable. Yet, in this tragedy, I also saw unity. Syrians of all backgrounds—Kurds, Arabs, Christians, and Muslims—came together to help one another, sharing what little they had.”
Jindar lamented the unending suffering of Afrin’s displaced: “The wounds from the first displacement during the Olive Branch operation have yet to heal, and now we face even greater devastation. This second displacement has shattered the remaining hope for a safe return. Our people are exhausted, and no solutions are on the horizon.”
Abdurrahman Khalil Murshid’s life and death embody the resilience of Syria’s displaced communities and the human cost of conflict. His story is a stark reminder of the profound need for justice, peace, and a resolution to end the cycle of displacement and suffering.