-
Exorbitant Extortion in Afrin: Quarter Million Dollars Demanded from Gumruk
-
According to local activists' testimonies, the detention of olive harvest in mills points to a systematic policy of impoverishing residents and forcing them to submit to demands

Local activists in Afrin are documenting an unprecedented wave of restrictions on residents of Gumruk village since Turkey-linked armed groups took control of it on the eighteenth of this month.
According to activists, the armed groups, represented by the Joint Force and Sultan Murad Division, imposed a series of repressive measures immediately upon taking control of the village, after seizing it from Northern Hawks militants.
Activists from the region say these groups have introduced a new extortion system, including seizing 50% of olive harvest from properties classified as "agencies," plus 7% of olive oil collected directly at the mills.
The activists report that armed groups are currently detaining oil quantities inside the mills, depriving owners of access to their basic needs from it.
According to local sources, the so-called "Abu Al-Jamajim," the village's leader, in cooperation with the economic official "Abu Fayyad," and under the supervision of commander "Malik Hussein Al-Jasim," issued a decision imposing a new extortion fee of a quarter million US dollars on village residents.
Activists indicate that the armed groups set a mechanism for collecting the amount by imposing two and a half dollars per olive tree, regardless of its age or productivity.
The activists confirm that these practices represent a sample of a reality that includes more than 360 villages in the Afrin region, where the area has been subjected to continuous violations for more than six years.
The violations, according to activists' documentation, include property confiscation, imposing extortion fees, restricting freedoms, in addition to other practices affecting the daily life of the original Kurdish residents.
Levant-Follow up
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!