LÎNA EL-XETÎB

Idlib- The clashes that broke out between Syrian government forces and Turkish-backed factions in Idlib, continue. The ongoing clashes and bombardment have displaced many people. Some displaced women of Idlib suffer difficult living conditions in camps; some women cannot leave their villages due to their poor financial situation despite the ongoing bombardment on their villages.

Aisha Al-Halloum (32) is one of the women, who had to leave their houses in Jisr ash-Shughūr due to the clashes. Her son was injured in a clash. “My son was shot in the leg while returning from school. We had to leave our house to protect our children. People suffer from poverty and high rents. We are worried because winter is approaching. We do not know anything about our future, we have an uncertain life.”

‘The situation is catastrophic'

Salma Al-Awad (50) had to leave the town of Ariha with her family due to the ongoing bombardments on the town. Now, she stays in an IDPs camp near the village of Hizano with her family. “The situation is catastrophic; the bombardments continue. I had to leave my house due to the ongoing bombardments.”

They need basic supplies

Speaking about the living conditions in the camp, Salma Al-Awad said, “The camp is full of displaced people. We left our house without taking anything. We urgently need baby food, hygiene supplies, drinking water and healthcare service. Some people cannot leave their houses due to their poor financial situation. They live under attack.”

‘We have to stay at home and wait to die’

Some women cannot leave their houses due to their poor financial situation despite the ongoing bombardment. Amal El-Husri (42) is one of them. Having a family of nine, Amal El-Husri told us that they could not leave their town due to the ongoing bombardment.

“We cannot afford a house due to high rents. For this reason, we have to stay at home and wait to die. The bombardment started during the olive harvest. We earn a living by selling olives and olive oil; however, we cannot harvest olives due to the ongoing bombardment.”