Russian FM ‘heard nothing’ of wall around Afrin in Syria
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Homes are being destroyed for Turkey and its proxies to construct a wall that will isolate northwestern Syria’s Afrin from other areas of the country, as Russia’s foreign ministry denies any knowledge of the project.
"They destroyed our homes and leveled our houses, after the occupation, Turkey stole our houses. We could not do anything, and now our houses have been destroyed. We have nothing left. The occupation built a wall in the village dividing it into two sections," Farida Abdel Rahman Hamo was quoted by ANHA news agency as saying.
The agency, which is close to the Peoples' Protection Units (YPG), gave the names of 14 families who claimed their houses have been destroyed.
The area is in the area of Jilbire (Julbul) in eastern Afrin. ANHA reported on Thursday that 60 houses have been destroyed since the wall's construction began 21 days ago.
Abdul Rahman Apo, a member of the Central Committee of the Kurdistan Democratic Party - Syria, confirmed to Rudaw English on Thursday that Turkey and their Syrian proxies started "erecting the wall three weeks ago" and it is "stretching from the south to east of Afrin."
However, some locals and others say "the building of the wall is for the protection of a Turkish military base in Afrin."
He claimed around 12 houses in the village of Jilbire were demolished to make way for the wall.
"Another message is that they do not want the original people to return home," Apo added.
Syria's state-run SANA news agency, citing local sources, confirmed on April 23 that "Turkish regime forces began building a concrete wall in Afrin, Aleppo, to isolate it from the geography of Syrian territory," it reported.
SANA added that Turkey and its proxies ultimate goal is to build a 70 kilometer wall "inside Syrian territory with observation towers."
Russian FM Sergey Lavrov was asked about the reports at a press conference on Monday.
"To be honest, I have never heard anything about a wall around Afrin. But I proceed from the fact that the Turkish leadership was adamant in confirming a number of times that Turkey’s anti-terrorist activities on Syrian territory are temporary," he replied.
Turkey and proxy forces launched Operation Olive Branch from January to March 2018 against the YPG.
The YPG comprise the backbone Syrian Democratic Forces who have repeatedly vowed to retake Afrin.
Through the eight-year Syrian conflict, Russia has backed the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and at times the YPG. However, Moscow effectively green lit Turkey’s operation against the YPG last January, despite Ankara’s staunch opposition to Assad.
Related: How possible is it for the SDF to retake Afrin?
"They destroyed our homes and leveled our houses, after the occupation, Turkey stole our houses. We could not do anything, and now our houses have been destroyed. We have nothing left. The occupation built a wall in the village dividing it into two sections," Farida Abdel Rahman Hamo was quoted by ANHA news agency as saying.
The agency, which is close to the Peoples' Protection Units (YPG), gave the names of 14 families who claimed their houses have been destroyed.
The area is in the area of Jilbire (Julbul) in eastern Afrin. ANHA reported on Thursday that 60 houses have been destroyed since the wall's construction began 21 days ago.
Abdul Rahman Apo, a member of the Central Committee of the Kurdistan Democratic Party - Syria, confirmed to Rudaw English on Thursday that Turkey and their Syrian proxies started "erecting the wall three weeks ago" and it is "stretching from the south to east of Afrin."
"It is a 35-40 kilometer wall aiming to separate Afrin from the other areas of the region particularly Shahba areas where the YPG is present," Apo said, relying on local sources in Afrin.
However, some locals and others say "the building of the wall is for the protection of a Turkish military base in Afrin."
He claimed around 12 houses in the village of Jilbire were demolished to make way for the wall.
"Another message is that they do not want the original people to return home," Apo added.
Syria's state-run SANA news agency, citing local sources, confirmed on April 23 that "Turkish regime forces began building a concrete wall in Afrin, Aleppo, to isolate it from the geography of Syrian territory," it reported.
SANA added that Turkey and its proxies ultimate goal is to build a 70 kilometer wall "inside Syrian territory with observation towers."
Russian FM Sergey Lavrov was asked about the reports at a press conference on Monday.
"To be honest, I have never heard anything about a wall around Afrin. But I proceed from the fact that the Turkish leadership was adamant in confirming a number of times that Turkey’s anti-terrorist activities on Syrian territory are temporary," he replied.
Turkey and proxy forces launched Operation Olive Branch from January to March 2018 against the YPG.
The YPG comprise the backbone Syrian Democratic Forces who have repeatedly vowed to retake Afrin.
Through the eight-year Syrian conflict, Russia has backed the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and at times the YPG. However, Moscow effectively green lit Turkey’s operation against the YPG last January, despite Ankara’s staunch opposition to Assad.
Related: How possible is it for the SDF to retake Afrin?