The Syrian Democratic Forces (QSD) announced that the vehicles of citizens who had to evacuate from the camps in Shahba due to the attacks were surrounded by paramilitary groups affiliated with Turkey. Hawar News Agency (ANHA) reported that there were around 15 thousand citizens in the vehicles. The paramilitary groups also prevented the delivery of water and food to the citizens. 

 

The statement made by the QSD Media Center is as follows: “Turkish-backed mercenaries have launched a large-scale kidnapping and enslavement campaign against civilians besieged in the Shahba’a region, north of Aleppo. Over 120 vehicles carrying hundreds of civilians, who were attempting to evacuate to areas in north and eastern Syria, were abducted and taken to an unknown destination near the Sheikh Najjar area. This action comes two days after these groups obstructed a previously agreed-upon civilian evacuation. Furthermore, with the aim of enslavement, these groups have detained over fifteen thousand civilians and abducted a large number of them. The besieged civilians are enduring harsh conditions, facing starvation and water shortages.”