Afrin… Cutting down olive and forest trees continue by factions militiamen and sell logs in Idlib markets

ARK News... Sources reported that the logging processes are still continuing with the approaching of winter in the Afrin region in front of the sight and hearing of the Turkish forces in spite of the protests by the people in front of the Turkish military headquarters during the past days, and we have indicated this twice without the responsible and concerned authorities in ordering their duties and investigating these crimes.

Sources also reported that areas in the Afrin region are experiencing a considerable hike in prices of fuel and other means of heating, as it is the case every winter. Some Arab settlers are prompted to use unhealthy and unsafe means, resort to cutting down trees in the surrounding forests and bushes, or even trespass on other people’s properties.

In areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions in the Afrin region factions stationed at the region’s checkpoints share the residents and Arab settlers in the cutting down of trees in the forests and bushes in Sejju, Midanky, Nabi Hori, amid lack of supervision.

According to local sources, logs and other wood are sold in markets for more than 100 USD per ton, at a time when a family that uses only one wood-burner stove needs an average of two tons during winter, which is worth over 200 USD.

Sources pointed out that Turkish-backed factions exploit the people’s need for getting logs for heating by banning Kurdish residents from cutting down trees. However, these factions allow investors, wood dealers, and Arab settlers to cut down and sell trees in return for money share.

Moreover, factions’ checkpoints allow rebels and Arab settlers to enter forests and bushes in the area and collect their wood supply needed during winter or even to trade in them, on condition that the settlers who want to enter these forests have to show the checkpoint’s members a document proving their affiliation to Turkish-backed factions.

Sources confirmed Turkish-backed militiamen have cut down olive trees, pomegranate, and other fruit-bearing trees in order to sell them to centers known for buying logs in Afrin and selling them in Idlib markets where they get larger profits. Such actions are accomplished in agreement with Turkish-backed factions stationed at checkpoints in the Afrin region.

It is worth mentioning that since the invasion of the Turkish army and the armed factions and groups Afrin region, kidnappings campaigns against Kurdish civilians continue with false pretexts, in addition to cutting down olive and forest trees for selling firewood without legal and moral deterrence.

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