The displaced from Idlib described the situation in the northern Syrian governorate as tragic, and they confirmed that they lost confidence in Turkey and the mercenary gangs, thanking the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria that received them in its regions.
Idlib recently witnessed the fiercest battles between the regime forces with Russian air support and the mercenary gangs supported by Turkey which caused the displacement of about one million persons according to what the media reported.
The displaced people from Idlib governorate are currently residing in Abo Qubaie camp located to the west of al-Raqqa, in some government buildings and some of the destroyed houses inside the city until Abo Qubaie camp is expanded and another camp is established, as it no longer accommodates all the displaced families.
Ali al-Ibrahim, a displaced from Jabal al-Zawiyya in Idlib explained that the military headquarters in Idlib and its villages had not been bombed recently, but the shelling focused on the safe civilians to displace them and evacuate the villages and towns.
He continued, “We were betrayed by Turkey and Jabhet al-Nusra, and they did not help us. Turkey closed the doors in front of us, did not allow any displaced persons to cross into the Turkish interior and placed snipers on the borders, killing everyone who approached them.”
He added, “We learned that the doors of the Autonomous Administration are open to us after the initiative of the Mazlum Abdi, and we went to it directly. Idlib has become disastrous. There is no longer anything called Idlib.”
He said, “We did not see any facilities mentioned during our displacement to northern and eastern Syria, but we were expelled by the elements of the” Free Army” in most of the areas where we stopped, and they practiced all kinds of psychological and material pressure until we reached Manbij and from there to al-Raqqa.”
The displaced person from Jabal Zawiyya Hashem Hesrom explained that the Democratic North Brigade and the Syrian Democratic Forces received them well, provided food and medicine for them, and secured for them transportation to al-Raqqa city and other areas that they wanted to go to.
Hashem Hesrom continued his speech saying: “Since we entered the Autonomous Administration areas, we felt that we were alive, and we were saved from the bombing of the warplanes which did not distinguish between old or little.”
The displaced people thanked al-Raqqa Civil Council for providing some urgent needs to the displaced such as blankets and some household equipment, demanding clothing for children and some foodstuffs. They left Idlib and did not carry anything with them.”
The displaced people who arrived in the Autonomous Administration areas addressed a message to the displaced people of Idlib who are still in the areas occupied by Turkey and its mercenaries, advising them to go to the Autonomous Administration areas because of their security, safety, good reception and hospitality.
How assistance is provided to Idlib displaced in al-Raqqa
In coordination between the Democratic North Brigade and al-Raqqa Civil Council, a council has been formed to deal with the affairs of the displaced, holding the name of Idlib Displaced Council, in which a number of the displaced themselves work in health, relief and others.
According to the member of Idlib Displaced Council Mohamed al-Omer, “The Council receives the displaced people from Awn al-Dadat crossing in Manbij region after the coordination with the Democratic North Brigade of the Syrian Democratic Forces, where the number of families that have reached al-Raqqa so far reached 180 families, and the number is increasing.”
Al-Omer explained that they are coordinating with the Civil Council and humanitarian organizations to provide the necessary support to the displaced, and added: “There are no responses from the organizations as required. There are many families in a bad situation and they are in urgent need of assistance.”
The family of displaced Amina al-Abras, narrated her exodus journey with bitterness, where she welcomed with respectful in the areas of NE, Syria, whose areas are being shelled with heavy weapons on an almost daily basis, confirming that the areas of north and east Syria have become the only place enjoyed with stability and security in Syria.
The 57-year-old Amina al-Abras with her displaced family, who was brutally attacked by mercenaries and factions supported by the Turkish occupation, and from the Syrian regime’s bombardment of the villages of Jabal al-Zawiya in the western countryside of Idlib city, so she and her family fled to the NE areas of Syria.
Amina al-Abras, from Jabal al-Zawiya villages in Idlib province, is a mother of five, and is currently staying with her family in a house that was given to her by the residents of Jabala al-Hamer village in the western countryside of Manbij, describing their situation is deplorable, they fled from their homes with empty handed, facing bitter cold of the winter, especially they have children
Amina’s husband, Ali al-Abaras, 60 years, was killed when the Syrian regime shelled their village a few days before they were displaced from the village, making it more difficult for her.
Amina says they headed towards NE, Syria areas, which has become the only place to enjoy stability and security in Syria, despite the threats of Turkish occupation. Amina noted that the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries prevent people from leaving, and use them as human shields during the Syrian regime’s air strikes on the city and villages.
Amina mentioned it was not allowed to pass by the mercenaries before paying money to them. Amina said “we have severely suffered the fear of mercenaries and the extreme cold, we stayed on the roads for several days, with children and women without food or drink.
Amina noted that the shelling on their village caused the demolition of their house, as well as the destruction of three nearby houses, and resulted in the death of everyone in those houses, adding that “the worst massacre was committed in front of our eyes”.
She thanked Liwaa Thewar Idlib, which is under the banner of SDF, for their efforts to facilitate their passage to safe areas of NE, Syria