HESNA MIHEMED

Shahba- Since Afrin was occupied by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed faction on March 18, 2018, the residents have been subjected to many crimes against humanity such as torture, arrest, harassment and rights violations. In addition to these practices, the Turkish-backed factions also plunder the nature of the region.

Every year, people of Afrin cannot harvest olives due to attacks by the Turkish state and its armed factions. People living in the village of Soxanekê, Afrin’s Sherewa district, have not been able to plant or harvest olives for seven years because they have been targeted by the members of the Turkish-backed factions.

‘We are not allowed to harvest olives’

“Although we are landowners, we are not allowed to harvest olives,” Naziliyê Omar Cimo, a resident of Soxaneke, told NuJINHA. “We resist the occupation attacks of the Turkish state. The aim of the attacks is to depopulate the region so that they will settle their members. Our olive fields are located in the north of the village, only 400 meters away from us; however, we have not been able to harvest our olives for seven years. The occupying factions steal our olives and cut down our trees.”

‘We will not leave our village’

Narîn Muhammed Elî has not been able to harvest olives for seven years because the Turkish-backed factions have not allowed her to go to her olive field. “Our village is at risk because the members of armed factions attack our villages by using weapons. We have 180 olive trees; however, we cannot harvest olives because the occupying factions of the Turkish state do not allow us. This occupation must be ended. Despite all the attacks, we, as women, will not leave our village.”