Human Rights Watch holds Turkey responsible for violations in Syrian territory 

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — In a new documentation of the Turkish violations, Human Rights Watch (HRW) confirmed that the Turkish government bears responsibility for serious violations and possible war crimes committed by Turkish-backed forces in the territories they occupy across northern Syria.

The report stated that the population in the occupied areas was further subjected to violations, under the pretext that they collaborate with the Democratic Autonomous Administration in the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES).

The 75-page report documented kidnappings, arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions, sexual violence and torture by Turkish-backed groups.

HRW declared that the Turkish Army and Turkish Intelligence Agencies are involved in the implementation and supervision of violations.

It also pointed to violations of the right to housing, land and property, including widespread property looting, seizures and extortion.

In addition to the failure of accountability attempts to reduce violations or provide compensation to victims.

Adam Kugel, HRW Deputy Executive Director in the Middle East and North Africa Division, stated that the current violations will continue, unless Turkey itself takes responsibility and moves to stop them, noting that Turkish officials are not just supervisors to the violations, but bear responsibility as the occupying power, and in some cases, directly participated in alleged war crimes.

In 2021, the UN Commission of Inquiry of the Syrian Arab Republic released a draft report into detention and disappearances that quoted several survivors of torture that Turkish officials were present during their abuse.