EBÎR MUHEMED

Qamishlo- Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon continue, displacing thousands. Thousands of Syrian refugees living in southern Lebanon have fled to North and East Syria. Evaluating this situation, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) set up a crisis center to provide aid to the Syrian refugees who fled from southern Lebanon.

NuJINHA spoke to Gulistan Elî, Spokesperson of the crisis center, about the activities of the center.

‘They have been displaced multiple times’

Thousands of people from Rojava and other parts of Syria live in Lebanon, Gulistan Elî told us. “The situation of Lebanese people is very bad. Thousands of Syrian refugees in Lebanon have fled to Rojava-North and East Syria. They have been displaced multiple times. In addition, there are thousands displaced from Afrin, Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ayn) and Girê Spî (Tell Abyad).”

‘We respond to the calls’

When Israeli attacks on Lebanon started, the AANES received many calls to welcome the refugees who had fled from Lebanon. “We respond to the calls,” said Gulistan Elî. “The AANES always supports the people of Rojava and Syria. Supporting Syrian refugees is the humanitarian duty of the AANES. We will protect Syrians coming from abroad as we protect our people from the attacks of the Turkish state and ISIS.”

‘The number of displaced people is on the rise’

More than 19,000 people have fled from southern Lebanon to North and East Syria, according to Gulistan Elî. “All health and humanitarian organizations work for the crisis center to help the people who fled from Lebanon. The Heyva Sor (Kurdish Red Crescent) in Rojava has set up mobile checkpoints at the borders to help them. Unfortunately, many refugees needed urgent treatment. Until now, more than 19,000 people, including 69 Lebanese citizens, have already entered the region controlled by the AANES. In addition, 19 dead bodies were brought to the region.”

Approaches of the Syrian government and armed factions

Gulistan Elî pointed to the approaches of the Syrian government and armed factions against the Syrian refugees fled from southern Lebanon and said, “The Syrian refugees fled from Lebanon paid 100 dollars to the Syrian government’s forces to enter our region. In the occupied areas, the armed factions have closed their doors to the people who fled from Lebanon. Despite everything, the AANES makes great efforts to support them and provide aid to them.”