RIHA – Stating that the returns to Efrîn (Afrin, Syria) have been completed, Co-Spokesperson of the Efrîn Human Rights Organization Îbrahîm Şêxo said: "We want the Kurds of Efrîn to govern themselves. The armed groups and their families in Efrîn need to be removed."

 

Following Turkey's attacks on Efrîn on 20 January 2018, approximately 300,000 people were forced to leave the lands where they lived. Over the 8 years that followed, thousands of armed Arab groups and their families from various cities in Syria were settled in Efrîn. 

 

While serious changes were made to the city's demographics, an agreement was reached on the return of the displaced under the agreement signed on 29 January between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syria Transitional Government.

 

Under the agreement, the first group of 400 families set off toward Efrîn on 9 March from Hesekê (Hasakah) and its surroundings in the Cizîr (Jazire) Region. The last group returned to Efrîn on 10 June. In total, 8,720 families have returned.

 

Îbrahîm Şêxo stated that the returns planned under the agreement have been completed and that with the latest returns approximately 80 percent of those who had been displaced have returned. Noting that all Efrîn residents in Qamişlo (Qamishlo), Hesekê and Kobanê (Kobani) have returned, Şêxo said that there are some individual Efrîn families in various other locations who have chosen not to return of their own accord and are not in refugee status.

 

Stating that problems have been experienced in the returns to Efrîn due to the armed Arab forces and families settled there over time, Şêxo noted that Arabs brought in during the earlier period have been settled in some citizens' homes and lands, and are creating problems for returning Efrîn residents.

 

He said: "For example, some are demanding money to vacate the homes they previously occupied. This demand goes up to 5,000 dollars. Some say they will not vacate the homes under any circumstances and will not return them to their owners. It is mainly Arabs from the Dêra region who are doing this. Likewise, Arabs who came from northern Aleppo are still living inside Efrîn." 

 

ARMED ACTIVITIES

 

Stating that after armed groups gained dominance in Efrîn, they seized people's property through an "Economy Committee" they established, Şêxo explained that this committee was effectively dissolved following the fall of the Assad regime. Stating that after Efrîn residents returned to Efrîn, some individuals were seizing people's property under the name of this committee, Şêxo said this problem has particularly emerged in the Raco district in the northwest of Efrîn, which has a railway connection with Turkey.

 

Noting that the situation in Efrîn has changed following the fall of the Assad regime, Şêxo said however problems are still being experienced due to some armed groups, that a village headman was recently killed, and that some groups in military uniforms are committing theft. Stating that the Transitional Government made a statement that these individuals are not its members and launched an investigation, Şêxo said they have not been able to obtain any result.

 

"In particular, these armed groups incorporated into the Efrîn administration wear the administration's uniforms during the day, and at night engage in theft and gang activities," he said.

 

'ARMED GROUPS AND FAMILIES IN EFRÎN MUST BE REMOVED'

 

Recalling the clause in the 29 January agreement that Efrîn would be governed by Efrîn residents, Şêxo said: "But right now, Arabs are in charge of all the strategic areas of Efrîn's administration. There are very few Kurds, but those Kurds are not Efrîn Kurds — they are Kurds from the villages of Bab. Efrîn Kurds are given positions in some mukhtarships and similar minor positions."

 

Finally touching on the demands of Efrîn residents, Şêxo stressed: "Our demands as Efrîn residents are clear. We want the Damascus government to recognize the rights of the Kurdish people. We want the Kurds of Efrîn to govern themselves. The armed groups and their families in Efrîn need to be removed. The people of Efrîn need to be able to live safely."

 

MA / Ömer Akın