Damascus government's practices are not different to Turkish occupation

Damascus government is imposing a siege on the areas of al-Shahba, where Afrin displaced people live in , who were forced to leave their homes due to the attacks of the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries on the area. Moreover, preventing entry of relief materials, medicine, and fuel into the area, where Damascus imposes large customs duties , as if Al-Shahba is not part of the Syrian territory.

In the recent period, Damascus government has strengthened embargo by confiscating flour, school books, gas cylinders, medicines and fuel that are sent from the regions of northern and eastern Syria, and freely distributed to people who live in tents and semi-destroyed homes.

because of this siege area councils are unable to secure the needs of populations , as government agents seize everything that enters their regions. Due to approaching winter season, these councils still unable to distribute diesel to the people because Damascus government did not permit this material from entering Al-Shahba.

The Co-chair of Afrin County Council, Muhammad Na`asu, pointed out to our agency that Damascus government follows policies violate international laws against the displaced from Afrin, and continued by saying, “The Damascus government imposes a stifling siege on the area and prevents materials from entering Al-Shahba, and if it agrees to enter these materials, it will impose customs duties up to confiscate food, fuel and medical supplies that come from northern and eastern Syria, at a time where the world is suffering from the Corona pandemic, not only that but also preventing the patients to enter Aleppo for treatment .

In the same context co-chair of Afrin County Council likened policies of Damascus with policies of the Turkish occupation by saying "What Damascus practices against us does not differ from the policies of the Turkish occupation state, which aim to eliminate the Kurdish people in the occupied areas." Naso held Russia responsible for what is being practiced against the people of Afrin, because Russia is a guarantor country in the region.

Concerning of the international organizations, Muhammad Na`so said that human rights organizations and refugee organizations are still silent. While he appealed to the international community to fulfill its humanitarian and moral duty by send a mission to assess the situation in the region, and put an end to the hostile practices of government of Damascus against Afrin displaced people, because the lives of thousands of them are in danger.

(A)

ANHA