In a show of Ankara’s growing influence in northern Syria, Turkish authorities are attempting to reform the local justice system in the liberated areas following the success of their Euphrates Shield operation.
According to local officials in the Syrian city of Jarablus, Aleppo province, the process was kick-started by defected Syrian judges and lawyers in residing Turkey.
Hamad Hamad, member of the Jarablus local council, told Sada al-Sham that the current phase of the reform began a month ago under the guidance of four defected judges who were appointed by the Turkish Justice Ministry.
This comes after reports earlier this year of Turkey training a “Free Police” force in Jarablus.
However, the lawyer Said Akkash told Sada al-Sham that the judiciary "was in a mess and did require reform," but the process had stopped after the completion of the first phase without any clear explanation.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
