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Disturbing Human Rights Record.. Internationally Sanctioned Leader Assumes Leadership Position in "Aleppo"
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The appointment of Seif al-Din Boulad to a new leadership position raises serious questions about the criteria for selecting military leaders and its impact on the future of human rights and stability
Seif al-Din Boulad, known as "Abu Bakr," has commenced his duties as commander of Division 76 in the new military formations in Aleppo governorate, amid concerns about the implications of this appointment on humanitarian conditions in the region.
Boulad, who defected from the former regime forces during the early months of the Syrian revolution, carries an extensive record of violations and abuses. He established the "Hamza Division" in 2016 in the city of Marea with direct guidance and support from Turkish authorities.
Multiple human rights reports have indicated the new military commander's involvement in practices that violate international humanitarian law during his control over areas in Afrin. Documents revealed on June 29, 2020, that Kurdish women were detained in secret detention centers belonging to the "Hamza Division" following disputes between competing armed groups.
The accusations directed at Boulad included issuing instructions to security officials in his group to impose levies on residents in Afrin, which exacerbated the suffering of local populations under the control of these groups.
As a result of these violations, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Boulad in July 2021 due to his involvement in serious human rights breaches, including kidnapping, extortion, sexual assault, and extrajudicial killing.
Media outlets revealed Boulad's appearance in a 2013 ISIS video recording, raising questions about his previous relationships with the extremist organization and his ideological orientations.
The military leader's activities were not limited to the Syrian arena but extended to participation in multiple regional conflicts. He participated in the Libyan conflict with Turkish support and was later transferred with his elements to Azerbaijan to fight against Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
What raises concern is that appointing a person with such a record of violations to a senior leadership position may negatively impact efforts to build security and military structures that respect the rule of law and human rights in various regions of Syria.
These appointments raise fundamental questions about the mechanisms for selecting leaders in the new military formations and the extent of their commitment to international human rights standards, especially in light of international efforts to achieve lasting stability in Syria.
This appointment also indicates the continued Turkish influence over military formations in northern Syria, which may hinder the possibility of building unified national security and military institutions that serve the interests of all Syrians.
