Olive crops seized in Rajo, Bulbul in Afrin

According to reports, the Rajo and Bulbul economic offices seized olive crops in two separate incidents in the Afrin countryside. One incident involved land whose yield provides a livelihood for an 80-year-old woman, while in the second, the landowner was prevented from harvesting the remainder of his crop.

According to the reports, the Rajo Economic Office seized an olive grove in the village of Dahhak Tahtani (Golyê Jêrî), owned by the late Ahmed Arif Hamza, who had no children. His widow, Fidan Bilal, depends on the grove’s yield for her livelihood.

On October 22, the office brought in workers to harvest the olives despite the elderly woman’s presence and the availability of official documents confirming ownership of the land. The harvesting ended with the entire crop being taken.

When questioned about the incident, the Rajo Economic Office justified its action by saying that the village mukhtar had reported that the land had no owners, according to the same sources.

In a separate incident, the Bulbul District Economic Office seized an olive grove belonging to Ahmed Mamo in the Qastal countryside and transported 28 sacks of olives to an olive press.

According to the information received, the office justified its action by citing an order from the district director to harvest and seize the crop. The landowner was prevented from harvesting the remaining olives, which are still on 140 trees that have yet to be picked.