Syrian Democratic Forces carried out raids on homes in Darnaj village near Theyban town in the eastern suburbs of Deir Ez-Zour governorate on March 25, 2022, in response to a protest against the group due to the poor living and service conditions in the regions under its control. SNHR documented the arrest of four civilians who were taken to an undisclosed location, with Syrian Democratic Forces’ personnel also setting light to several civilian houses in the village during the raids.
SNHR notes that the families of the arrested civilians weren’t given any information about the detentions, while the detainees’ phones were confiscated, and they haven’t been allowed to contact other family members or a lawyer. We fear they will be subjected to torture and go on to become forcibly disappeared as has happened in 85 % of arrest cases.
SNHR calls for financial and psychological restitution for the victims and their families, as well as for an end to all arbitrary detentions, and for the fate of hundreds of individuals forcibly disappeared by Syrian Democratic Forces to be revealed.
We note that these arrests are carried out with the objective of spreading fear and terror in the community and blackmailing the detainees’ families. We have additional, well-founded fears for the detainees’ well-being due to the spread of COVID-19.
Photo of the damage to one of the civilians’ homes set alight by the Syrian Democratic Forces.
