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Turkey's Proxy Army Accused of Abusing Civilians in Northern Syria
(Washington Post) Asser Khattab - Proxy forces backed by Turkey in northern Syria have been blamed for a growing ledger of abuses against the local population, residents say, undermining Turkey's stated goal of creating a "safe zone" for civilians. More than 200,000 people have been internally displaced by the Turkish-led offensive, according to the UN. Locals say Turkey's Syrian Arab proxies have carried out summary executions and beatings, kidnapped or detained their relatives, and looted their houses, businesses and belongings. The result, refugees say, is a form of ethnic cleansing - designed to force out Kurdish residents and replace them with Arabs loyal to Turkey. Fateh, 38, an Arab of Turkish origin, said in a telephone interview, "Those people are filled with hatred and a lust for blood. They do not distinguish between Arab and Kurdish, Muslim and non-Muslim." Mikael Mohammad, a Kurd who fled with his family, said of the Turkish-backed fighters: "They walk into houses and proclaim them theirs. They kidnap and execute people for being 'atheists' or 'blasphemers.' And they are looting people's properties in broad daylight."