Today marks the eighth anniversary of \u201cOperation Olive Branch,\u201d launched on January 20, 2018. The operation concluded on March 18, 2018, with Turkish-backed Syrian National Army factions taking control of the Syrian region of Afrin. This was accompanied by serious violations affecting civilians, their property, and their fundamental rights.<\/p>\n
The operation marked a tragic turning point in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Afrin\u2019s original inhabitants. It triggered large-scale forced displacement that has continued over the intervening years and persists to this day. Many remain displaced in harsh conditions across northern and northeastern Syria, deprived of their right to return to their homes in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner.<\/p>\n
Since then, numerous human rights organizations, including the Lelun Association for Victims, have documented widespread and systematic patterns of violations, including:
\n\u2022 Forced displacement
\n\u2022 Unlawful seizure of private property
\n\u2022 Extortion
\n\u2022 Abduction and arbitrary detention
\n\u2022 Enforced disappearance
\n\u2022 Violations affecting human dignity and the cultural identity of the indigenous population
\n\u2022 Extrajudicial killings<\/p>\n
Despite ongoing references to plans for the return of forcibly displaced persons, conditions on the ground continue to fall short of the minimum legal and security guarantees required for safe and sustainable return. Many returnees have encountered significant obstacles in reclaiming their property, while others have been subjected to further violations that have compelled them to flee once again, in the absence of effective accountability mechanisms or meaningful protection.<\/p>\n
At the same time, there has been a concerning rise in hate speech and discriminatory practices targeting residents, particularly with regard to the use of names and symbols associated with Kurdish identity. These developments deepen an atmosphere of fear and exclusion and pose a serious threat to the social fabric of the region.<\/p>\n
On this anniversary, the Lelun Association for Victims calls for:
\n\u2022 The immediate cessation of all violations against civilians in Afrin
\n\u2022 The guarantee of the right of all forcibly displaced persons to safe, voluntary, and dignified return, in accordance with international standards
\n\u2022 The restitution of property to its rightful owners and the provision of adequate compensation
\n\u2022 The clarification of the fate of the forcibly disappeared and the release of all those arbitrarily detained
\n\u2022 Accountability for all those responsible for these violations, regardless of their status, and an end to impunity
\n\u2022 The cessation of discriminatory policies and cultural restrictions, and the protection of the region\u2019s diversity and local identity
\n\u2022 The annulment of arbitrary rulings issued by non-independent or partial courts<\/p>\n
The continued absence of justice and redress not only undermines the rights of victims but also erodes any genuine prospects for achieving sustainable peace in Syria, in line with the principles of transitional justice and international human rights law.<\/p>\n
On this anniversary, we stand in solidarity with victims and survivors and reaffirm our commitment to pursuing truth and justice, and to ensuring that such violations are not repeated.<\/p>\n
Lelun Association for Victims
\nMarch 18, 2026<\/p>\n