Smuggler accused of killing 17, after fooling victims into Turkey escape

Residents of the Syrian town of Darkush, northwest of Idlib along the Syrian-Turkish borders, found the bodies of civilians who were shot dead on Saturday.

According to sources, one of those who work in smuggling from Syria into Turkey, has killed at least 17 civilians in Darkush’s surroundings to steal their money.

The smuggler was identified as Mohammed Satouf al-Jaml, 20 years old. Sources said he’s from al-Hafayrya in Darkush countryside, adding that he killed two men and one woman who were trying to enter Turkey from an area near Darkush, among other victims.

According to the preliminary investigation, Jaml admitted to killing nine people the same way, by fooling his victims into believing that he can help them enter Turkey then luring them into mountainous areas to steal their money and kill them.

Activists circulated a video showing the bodies of three people near the Syrian-Turkish borders near Darkush and said they were of civilians who were attempting to enter Turkey.

Turkish-Syrian borders have been entirely closed for years. There are three border crossings, Bab al-Salameh, north of Azaz, Bab al-Hawa, north of Idlib and another in the city of Jarabulus. Opening them is limited to NGOs employees and some cadres of military factions. This is in addition to opening them during holidays.