​​​​​​​Citizens: Damascus government uses blockade to extend control over north-east Syria

4 crossings connect the Autonomous Administration areas with the Damascus government areas; Al-Tayhah crossing west of Manbij, Al-Tabqa crossing west of Raqqa, Al-Akirshi crossing south of Raqqa, and Al-Salhiya crossing in Deir Ezzor."

The Damascus government prevented the entry of foodstuffs, fuel, medicines, medical equipment, and school books to north and east Syria in an effort to tighten the siege on north and east Syria, which is basically besieged from all sides inside and outside Syria.

Citizens in ed-Dirbasiyah district in Al-Hasakah canton believed that the government siege only serves those seeking to destroy Syria, especially the Autonomous Administration areas.

The citizen Khaled Sheikho said, "The enemies are besieging the areas of north-east Syria, some are trying to benefit and others want to prolong the duration of the Syrian crisis in all fields, especially the economic ones."

Sheikho added, "The Caesar Act has been imposed on the heads of the Syrian regime, and they, in turn, are trying to impose it on Rojava by closing the crossings."

On the goal of the Damascus government from the siege, Sheikho explained: "They want to break the will of the people who live here and return them to before 2011 to obtain concessions that satisfy their interests, and to pit the people against the Autonomous Administration."

On the goal of the Damascus government from the siege, Sheikho explained: "They want to break the will of the people who live here and return them to before 2011 to obtain concessions that satisfy their interests, and to pit the people against the Autonomous Administration."

Khaled Sheikho saw that the closure of the crossings is a message to the Autonomous Administration that "we can fight you economically even if you establish institutions, an autonomous administration, and peoples' fraternity, and achieve security and safety."

Sheikho added, "The closure of the crossings by the Syrian regime assists the parties and forces trying to sabotage and divide Syria politically and economically."

'The government does not consider north-east Syria to be part of Syria'

In turn, the citizen Othman Othman warned of what he called a humanitarian disaster in the region, "especially in light of the outbreak of the Corona virus, in addition to the possible increase in food and medicine."

Othman added, "What the government is doing will negatively affect the people."

In the same context, Abdel Hakim Mohammed said, "The closure of the crossings will negatively affect us."

The citizen Idris Mohammed asked, "Why do they not consider us to be Syrian citizens? And by what right does the Syrian regime close the crossings? Does it not consider the areas of north eastern Syria as Syrian lands?"

D.H

ANHA