SYRIA: Turkish-backed fighters continue to spread lawlessness in occupation areas

ALEPPO and TEL ABYAD, Syria – The Turkish-backed groups of the Syrian National Army (SNA) continue to commit human rights violations in the areas under their control.

The SNA, is a collection of militias, including several espousing Islamist ideologies, formed and funded by Turkey.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that fighters of Faylaq al-Majd (Glory Corps), a member of the SNA, looted the contents of several houses and public buildings from the village of Al-Abzamo in the western Aleppo countryside.

This is not the first time Faylaq al-Majd has looted civilian property. Earlier in March, the group looted the property of several houses and businesses in Tel Abyad. A dispute over the sharing of the looted goods arose between Faylaq al-Majd and the Northern Brigade, another SNA member, which led to fierce clashes that ended with six fighters dead.

During the Turkish-led invasion of North Syria that resulted in the occupation of Tel Abyad, Rish Ayno (Ras al-Ayn), and the surrounding countryside and the displacement of an estimated 300,000 civilians, video posted by fighters of Faylaq al-Majd showed them trampling and mutilating the body of a member of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) laughing and chanting “Allahu Akbar.”

In related news, positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were targeted by the artillery of the SNA and escalated into violent confrontations on the western Tel Abyad frontline. No information on any casualties has been received so far.