Extortion of Civilians on Athriya–Khanasser Road in Aleppo Sparks Public Outrage

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that checkpoints belonging to the “Hamzat” and “Sultan al-Amshat” factions of the National Army, stationed along the Athriya–Khanasser road in eastern rural Aleppo, have continued since yesterday to impose financial tolls on passing vehicles.

According to the Observatory, drivers of private cars, buses, and freight trucks are being forced to pay up to $100 per vehicle in order to be allowed through.

Compounding the situation is the complete closure of the Deir Hafer road, which has further exacerbated the suffering of civilians and significantly increased transportation costs between areas under the control of the Transitional Government and other regions in northern and northeastern Syria.

These violations, the Observatory noted, persist amid a lack of any response from authorities in Damascus to halt what it described as the exploitation of major roadways for financial gain at the expense of citizens’ rights.