Kidnapping of Two Kurdish Young Women… Questions Arise Over Autonomous Administration’s Silence

Local sources reported that two Kurdish young women—Norman Jalal Sarhan (22 years old, from Derik, holding German citizenship) and her friend Fatima Saleh from the countryside of Kobani—were kidnapped on September 13 by an armed group affiliated with the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade, known as the “Al-Amshat,” in the Shieh area of Afrin countryside.

According to available information, the two women were taken to a military base belonging to the faction, where they are reportedly subjected to psychological pressure and financial extortion. It was noted that Norman had returned from Germany to visit her family in Syria before being kidnapped, a fact that could have international repercussions.

The suspicious silence of the Autonomous Administration, despite ongoing dialogues with Damascus and the lack of urgent action through international and humanitarian channels, raises serious questions about its commitment to its responsibilities toward Kurdish civilians in conflict zones. Furthermore, the Syrian Interim Government is urged to stop making excuses and take direct responsibility for protecting civilians instead of leaving the field open to the practices of Al-Amshat elements, which have become a daily nightmare for residents, especially those in Afrin.

Observers believe that the continuation of such incidents, especially with one victim holding European citizenship, may open the door to increased international movements and pressures to hold responsible parties accountable amid growing fears among local residents that kidnappings and extortions may become an everyday reality without accountability.