Montag, 14.05.2018 / 15:09 Uhr

Arabisierung von Afrin

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Aus dem Netz

A wave of Arabization started in the Kurdish city of Afrin in northwest Syria soon after its takeover by Arab rebel groups and Turkish forces, a process that continues to this day, according to evidence on the ground and statements from international organizations, including the United Nations.

Kurds made up 95 percent of Afrin’s population before operation Olive Branch was launched by Turkish troops against the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Arab families from other parts of Syria have been since pouring into the city and replacing many Kurds who fled during the clashes.

Families from the province of Idlib were the first to turn up and settle in the surrounding villages. Idlib is under the control of extreme groups like the Tahrir al-Sham, which adopted its new name from the former al-Nusra Front to escape the UN terror list.

Before long people from Azaz, al-Bab and Jarablus came and settled in villages around Sharran and Rajo. Most have resettled in the Yezidi villages of Qastal Jindo and Baflon.

This Arab resettlement campaign in Afrin gained momentum after many families from East Ghouta were transported according to an agreement between the Syrian regime and the opposition under Russian auspices.

During the Turkish military operation with its Arab allies many Afrin residents fled to nearby regime-controlled towns for safety and vacating the city in the process.  Their places were soon filled with opposition fighters and their families. The arrivals became a daily routine.

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