Washington, 18 August 2023 (TDI): The United States on August 17, 2023, sanctioned two armed groups over serious human rights abuses in Northern Syria.
Two militias Hamza Division and Suleiman Shah Brigade have been involved with serious human rights abuses in the Afrin Region.
Afrin region is under the control of numerous armed groups that uses violence and restricts the movement of supplies and people.
The US Treasury Department stated that these armed groups have contributed to the already existing suffering resulting from years of civil war in northern Syria.
In addition to two armed groups, three individuals in leadership positions within these groups have also been sanctioned.
The US Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson stated that “Today’s action demonstrates our continued dedication to promoting accountability for perpetrators of human rights abuses, including in Syria”.
The Hamza Division
According to the US Treasury, the Hamza Division which is an armed group functioning in northern Syria, has been involved in serious crimes like abductions, property theft, and torture.
It also operates detention facilities where they keep the abducted individuals for long periods.
During their abduction, victims are imprisoned for ransom and often suffer sexual abuse at the hands of the Hamza Division members.
Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr who is the leader of the Hamza Division was also sanctioned over his numerous propaganda videos.
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The Suleiman Shah Brigade
The Suleiman Shah Brigade which is a component of the Syrian National Army and holds significant control over the Afrin region has targeted Kurdish residents and subjected them to harassment, illegal imprisonment, and other abuses.
Mohammed Hussein al-Jasim (Abu Amsha) is the leader of SSB and is accused of kidnapping civilians for ransom, seizing their properties, and generating tens of millions of dollars a year through this.
Abu-Amsha is sanctioned for being responsible for all of the abuses. He is also accused of raping the wife of a brigade member and threatening her to remain silent.
Al-Safir which is a car dealership owned by Abu-Amsha is also sanctioned. Al-Safir is headquartered in Istanbul and he also has branches in multiple locations in southern Türkiye which are managed by the SSB commanders.
Furthermore, Walid Hussein al-Jasim who is identified as the younger brother of Abu-Amsha and holds a significant position within the SSB is also sanctioned. He assumed the leadership role of the SSB when Abu Amsha left Syria to engage in combat in Libya.
