Closure of Tel Koçer crossing .. Double international standards increase displaced suffering inside

The regions of northern and eastern Syria have been experiencing since the beginning of the Syrian crisis a genocidal blockage imposed by the Syrian government, mercenary gangs, neighboring Turkey, and the authorities of Başûr Kurdistan.

To add to the suffering, the interfering countries in the Syrian affairs politicize the humanitarian file, as these countries are trying to impose a policy of starvation on the north and east of Syria with the aim of thwarting the Autonomous Administration there.

'Russia and the complexity of the file'

After entering directly in the Syrian crisis line, Russia used the right of veto to oppose any draft in the Security Council that harms the legitimacy of the Damascus government.

In a move to achieve its goals in Syria, Russia has blocked the Security Council resolution allowing the aid entry into several regions of Syria, and allowed it to enter through only two crossings, namely Bab al-Hawa crossing and Bab al-Salama crossing which are under the control of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries, which leads to depriving the regions of northern and eastern Syria of UN aid.

'Tel Koçer ... and the imposition of the siege'

Tel Koçer crossing is the second largest border crossing between Syria and Iraq, and it is located in the far north and east of Syria, 60 km away from Derik district, 90 km from Qamishlo city, and 135 km from al-Hasakah city. It was liberated from ISIS mercenaries and Jabhet al-Nusra by the People Protection Units and the Women Protection Units (YPG , YPJ) at the end of October 2013.

Although it is the only outlet between Syria and Iraq on the international road (M4), it has remained closed throughout the years of the Syrian war as a result of the attempts of the interfering countries in the Syrian affairs to thwart the Autonomous Administration project, chiefly Russia.

Last December, Russia and China used the "veto" against a draft resolution that would have allowed the use of Iraq and Turkey's crossings for a year. Approval of any resolution requires the support of 9 votes, without Russia, China, the United States, France, or Britain using "Veto."

Later, the UN mechanism for bringing aid into Syria was extended, but through only two crossings, Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salama which are under the control of the Turkish occupation, while Tel Koçer and al-Ramtha crossings were closed to UN aid.

'Closing crossings is an absolute political issue'

The Director of the Refugee Affairs Office in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Sheikhmos Ahmed, attributed the failure to open the crossing to several reasons, the most important of which are political reasons. He says: "The beginning of Tel Koçer crossing liberation called the Iraqi government for the necessity of dealing with government employees, and the necessity to raise the Syrian flag, but these are flimsy arguments, and the issue is purely political."

Ahmed confirmed in a statement to our agency that "despite the numerous and repeated meetings with the Iraqi government about opening the crossing, it seems that coordination with the regime, not to mention pressure by the Iranian authorities prevented the crossing from being opened."

He added: "When the veto was used by Russia and China in favor of the Turkish state to close Tel Koçer crossing to the flow of the humanitarian aid to the regions of northern and eastern Syria and Syria in general, Tel Koçer crossing and al-Ramtha crossing with Jordan were closed, and only the crossing between Turkey and Syria (Bab al-Hawa crossing) which is under the control of the Turkish army and its mercenaries was allowed for political purposes by exerting pressure on the Autonomous Administration on the one hand, and receiving humanitarian aid through Damascus to be under the control of the Syrian government, and this aid may not reach the regions of northern and eastern Syria."

Ahmed believes that the double veto serves the Turkish state which threatens the areas of Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria, as well as the Syrian government by putting pressure on the Autonomous Administration to accept its conditions.

'Imposing a starvation policy on 800,000 displaced people and 4,000,000 people'

The decision to close Tel Koçer border crossing negatively affected the humanitarian situation in the regions of northern and eastern Syria that are witnessing a genocidal siege, as the decision to enter humanitarian aid through a single crossing with Turkey to specific areas of Syria that are under Turkish occupation and the control of Hayet Tahrir al-Sham mercenaries threatens the lives of more than 4 million indigenous people living in northern and eastern Syria due to being deprived of aid.

While about 800,000 displaced people are living in a tragic situation, as the occupation operations and displacement due to the ongoing war in the country over the years of the crisis have resulted in establishing 15 camps in northern and eastern Syria, distributed among al-Jazeera and Afrin regions, Manbij, al-Tabqa and al-Raqqa, in addition to dozens of random camps distributed in the eastern and western countryside of Deir ez-Zor, in addition to al-Raqqa, al-Tabqa and Manbij countryside.

'Winter is approaching'

In addition, the displaced are preparing for a conflict with the weather conditions that make their misfortunes worse in the winter, as they are suffering life's difficulties in light of the limited capabilities of the Autonomous Administration, amid the failure of the international community to fulfill its duty towards them.

Asia Mohamed from Serêkaniyê city displaced with her family which consists of 8 people to Washokani camp after the Turkish occupation attacks on Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî on October 9, 2019.

Asia describes their tragic situation saying: "Our bed and blankets have become worn out from the stone laid on the floor." She added: "Our tent is the kitchen and bathroom, and for the guest if we host them."

Asia adds: "The aid provided by organizations is only in name." As for the Autonomous Administration services, she says: "The Administration provides everything it is able to provide."

During her conversation with our correspondent, Asia asks the organizations for everything that a person deserves, and adds: "I ask them to live as they live. It is enough for us to be abandoned. They should treat us as human beings."

Yesra Dahham Abdullah, her situation is not different from that of Asia. She is a mother of 10 children. She says: "We have been displaced, they burned our homes, they robbed our properties, the Autonomous Administration helped us with its few resources, we are not ready to receive winter, I cannot afford to clothe 10 children alone, I hope all organizations can help us as soon as possible."

For his part, Imad al-Hamoud who was also displaced by the Turkish occupation from his city (Serêkaniyê) fears that the winter will be harsh. He said: "Winter is approaching, we need many things such as fuel for heating and new blankets." He continued: "The Autonomous Administration did not fail, it provided us with everything in summer, even fans."

'The burden is increasing on the Autonomous Administration and organizations must intervene immediately'

For his part, Sheikhmos Ahmed affirms that the suffering of the displaced begins in the winter season, when rain and bitter cold, and the burden on the Autonomous Administration, which must secure the basic needs of the displaced in the camps which includes replacing old and worn tents with new ones, securing winter clothes for the displaced, providing heating, and medicines before disease outbreaks, increases.

He explains that all these issues need support from international organizations, but there are still no signs of assistance provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and its agents, so the greatest burden of securing all the basic necessities for the winter will fall on the Autonomous Administration.

Ahmed concludes that it is the duty of international organizations, especially those affiliated with the United Nations to take care of all the requirements of the displaced in the camps in the Autonomous Administration regions, and adds: "The International Coalition, the European Union and the Arab League must pressure the organizations that left with the beginning of the Turkish aggression to re-operate and provide assistance to the displaced in the regions of north and east Syria.

D.H

ANHA