The city of Sere Kaniye/Ras al-Ayn in northern Syria witnessed the arrest of four civilians by an entity known as the “Military Police,” who were subsequently transferred into Turkish territory. This incident raises serious concerns regarding their safety and falls within a broader context of ongoing violations against civilians, particularly Kurds, in the region.
Local sources reported that the “Military Police” arrested four civilians in the countryside of Sere Kaniye while they were visiting the area. The individuals are identified as: Juma’a Ahmad al-Azzo, originally from the village of al-Manajir south of the city; Mahmoud Houbo and his son, Welat (both Kurds), residents of Tel Tamer; and Ahmad Qasim al-Awad from the village of al-Dardara in the city’s countryside.
According to these sources, the arrests took place near the village of al-Aliyah, where they were abruptly detained. The “Military Police” then handed them over to Turkish Intelligence, and they were later transferred across the border into Turkish territory.
This incident occurs amidst mounting fears among the population, specifically regarding the return of displaced Kurds to Sere Kaniye. Local testimonies indicate persistent security risks and the absence of a safe environment for return.
Sources also reported that some displaced persons who returned individually in the recent period faced a harsh reality characterized by the destruction of their homes and the looting of their property, in addition to harassment by armed groups affiliated with the de facto authorities in the region.
In a recent case, two individuals—(S.A.) and (A.A.)—were subjected to harassment upon their return to the city by an individual named (K.R.) and a group of armed men.
Local actors warn against individual returns, emphasizing that the return of residents must be collective and conducted under international guarantees. They stress that such a process should follow the withdrawal of Turkish forces and armed factions, alongside the provision of protection by civilian security forces. Furthermore, they pointed to the existence of surveillance networks and informants working to monitor returnees and circulate their information.
Turkey launched “Operation Peace Spring” on October 9, 2019, with the participation of factions from the “Syrian National Army” (SNA). The operation resulted in the seizure of the Ras al-Ayn and Tal Abyad regions and the displacement of more than 200,000 civilians, the majority of whom are Kurds.
Available data indicates a recurring pattern of violations in northern Syria, specifically targeting Kurdish civilians. This pattern includes arbitrary detention, forcible transfer, threats, and the harassment of returnees. Given the continued absence of a safe environment and the proliferation of various armed actors, the risks to the civilian population are increasing. This necessitates urgent international action to ensure protection, halt violations, and hold those responsible accountable.
