War monitor urges investigation into claims of illegal organ trade by Turkey-backed rebels

Duvar English

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a U.K.-based war monitor, has called on Turkey and international human rights organizations to investigate claims of the involvement of Turkey-backed Syrian rebels in illegal organ trade in the war-torn country.

The claims were based on testimonies from the Syrian town of Tel Abyad, the war monitor said. Sources reportedly informed the SOHR that a man who sustained only a hand injury during an explosion in Tal Abyad and was later taken to a hospital was later found with his abdomen cut wide open, leading to suspicions that his internal organs were stolen.

“Based on the testimonies obtained by SOHR, we in the Syrian Observatory call upon the Turkish and international human rights organizations, to investigate these incidents in the shadow of accusations against the pro-Turkey factions of being involved in organ trade incidents after stealing organs from the corpses of citizens in the areas under their control,” said the group in a statement released on their website on Nov. 25.

“SOHR also warns against the danger of indulgence in investigating these events, and calls upon the international community and relevant organizations for transparent, just and open investigation, to see what is going on,” the statement further said.

Turkish troops and Turkey-backed rebels in October took control of Tal Abyad and other border towns from the People's Protection Units (YPG), after U.S. troops pulled out.