HESNA MIHEMED

Shahba- The people of Afrin, who were forcibly displaced from Afrin to Shahba five years ago, have been subjected to siege and embargo imposed by the Syrian government on Shahba for about 10 months.

While the people of Afrin, who take shelter in Shahba, have been forced to displace for the second time, the 4th Armored Division of the Syrian army has intensified its pressure on the checkpoints between the city of Aleppo and Shehba region. NuJINHA spoke to Arîn Bekîr, Co-chair of the Social Affairs Council in Shahba-Afrin Region, about the effects of the ongoing siege and embargo on civilians in Shahba.

 ‘People keep resisting’

Five years ago, thousands of people were internally displaced from Afrin to Shahba due to the Turkish occupation in Afrin. They now live in five IDPs camps in Shahba. However, they cannot access essential supplies, such as fuel, flour and humanitarian aid due to the siege and embargo imposed by the Syrian government. “There are five IDPs camps in Shahba. The people have faced many problems due to the siege and embargo but they keep resisting,” Arîn Bekîr told NuJINHA.

 ‘People face displacement again’

“The Syrian government has intensified its siege and embargo on Shahba,” Arîn Bekîr said, “The 4th Armored Division of the Syrian army has intensified its pressure on the checkpoints between the city of Aleppo and Shehba region to control the entry of essential supplies, such as fuel, flour and humanitarian aid to the region. People face displacement again. However, they are determined to resist the siege and embargo.”

Displaced people face more problems in the camps

 Speaking about the situation of the people living in IDPs camps, Arîn Bekîr said, “People have to use the generators less due to the lack of fuel. The lack of fuel causes more problems especially in IDPs camps. In the camps, the families burn household items and plastic to cook. The organizations and assemblies make great efforts to distribute supplies to the people.”

Call on international organizations

Arîn Bekîr called on all international organizations to put pressure on the Syrian government to lift the siege and embargo. “The siege and embargo must be lifted so that people from Afrin and Shehba can live in peace. The people keep resisting the genocidal policies of the Syrian government.”