Missing women of Afrin
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- Rape
- Sexual slavery
- Intimidation
- Humiliation
- Forcible conversion to Islam
Turkish Armed Forces
| Location | Afrin, Syria |
|---|---|
| Motive |
|
| Perpetrator | Syrian National Army Turkish Armed Forces |
| Missing | 109 |
| Convicted | Unconvicted |
Since the occupation of Afrin by the Syrian National Army and Turkish Armed Forces in March 2018, numerous reports have emerged regarding the abduction of over 173 women and girls, with 109 still missing. In approximately 30 of these cases, there have been allegations of torture and sexual violence.[1][unreliable source?]
Various sources indicate the possibility members of the Syrian National Army and Turkish Armed Forces committed war crimes such as hostage-taking, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well as sexual and gender-based violence. However, no convictions have been made in relation to these allegations. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic's report found evidence suggesting that women and girls were detained by Syrian National Army fighters who subjected them to rape and sexual violence, which resulted in severe physical and psychological harm at both individual and community levels.[2]: §59 Some families from Tell Abyad have chosen not to return to their homes due to concerns about the risk of rape and sexual violence.[2]: §61
Additionally, there have been reports that Syrian officers forced male detainees to witness the rape of minors, seemingly as a means to humiliate, extract confessions, and instill fear. According to an eyewitness, Turkish officials were present in the facility on the first day.[2]: §60