"Leilun" Association reveals details of suppressing a women's protest in "Kakhra" village in Afrin
Documents gathered by Leilun researchers emphasize the need for urgent international action to stop ongoing violations in Afrin, highlighting the suffering of indigenous residents under the rule of Tu
September 22, 2024, 9:00 pm

انتهاكات في عفرين.. قمع مظاهرات وفرض إتاوات على مزارعي الزيتون

The Leilun Association for Victims has unveiled a series of serious violations in Kakhra village in occupied Afrin region, in an exclusive investigative report published today. The report, based on live testimonies and field investigations, documented brutal attacks carried out by the "Sultan Suleiman Shah" faction, known as "Al-Amshat," against civilians, especially women.

Despite strict restrictions and security threats, Leilun Center researchers managed to collect documented testimonies from victims and eyewitnesses to the tragic events in the village. According to the report, the events erupted when a brave group of about twenty village women organized a peaceful protest on Sunday, September 15, 2024, rejecting the imposition of exorbitant royalties.

The report conveyed an exclusive testimony from Lara Al-Ali (pseudonym), one of the protest participants, who told Leilun researchers: "We faced excessive violence when we tried to protest peacefully. They attacked us with batons and whips, and fired randomly to disperse us. Many women were injured and suffered fractures."

The report revealed subsequent repressive measures, where the faction imposed a curfew and cut off communication services to prevent information leakage. Another witness (Ahmed Al-Ahmad/pseudonym) confirmed to the center's researchers: "After the attack, they completely besieged the village. Everyone is living in a state of terror, and we fear what might happen next."

The report also documented cases of gross financial extortion, with Leilun researchers quoting a special source (Yousef Saeed/pseudonym): "The faction forced one family to pay $8,000 as part of the royalties, while they demanded amounts up to $4,000 from other families."

The report recorded a shocking testimony from one of the survivors, revealing threats of rape and degrading practices against civilians. The report pointed to the systematic continuation of violations, including cutting off communications and threatening residents to prevent information leakage.

This investigative report by the Leilun Association for Victims comes in the context of its ongoing efforts to document violations in the occupied areas of Afrin. It's worth noting that the center has published a series of previous reports documenting similar violations in other areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions.

Afrin residents are calling on international and human rights organizations to take immediate action to protect them. They are calling for an international investigation into the documented violations and accountability for those responsible. Meanwhile, observers emphasize the need for serious work to end the Turkish occupation and ensure the safe and dignified return of forcibly displaced people to Afrin.

Levant-Leilun Association for Victims

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.