Forced displacement haunts families in Syria's heart
Villages and areas in the northeastern corner of Hama governorate, as well as parts of Homs, Tartus, and Latakia, are experiencing an escalating wave of forced displacement as violence and violations against residents escalate, according to reports.
Many villages in the northeastern corner of Hama governorate, in addition to areas in Homs, Tartus and Latakia governorates, are witnessing tragic humanitarian conditions due to systematic campaigns of violence and forced displacement amid escalating sectarian warfare and lack of protection, according to local sources.
Local sources confirmed that entire areas became almost empty of their original inhabitants after they were subjected to repeated killings, kidnappings, and attacks by armed groups described as expatriates supported by the Damascus authorities, which led to mass displacement, especially among members of the Alawite, Christian, Ismaili, Shiite, and Marashida sects, who were the majority in those villages.
According to local sources, Ma'an, Al-van al-Wastani, Al-van al-Janoubi, al-Mabtain, Um Qalaq, al-Zaghba, Marioud, Abu Faisif, al-Tuba, al-Sha'ana, al-Talabsiya, al-Balil, al-Hamra al-Fawqaniya, Qala Khanzir, al-Qasf, al-Hamra al-Tahtaniya, al-Shiha, al-Ruweif and Thal Dahab are among the villages that have seen a complete displacement of their residents due to ongoing threats and operations targeting their presence.
On the other hand, limited numbers of residents returned to some other villages, but this return was not without risks, as local sources reported that returnees in villages such as "Sheikh Ali Takasun, Al-Kharsan, Um Trekiyah, Al-Halban, Nawa, Al-Sheba, Shahiba, Kul Abdul Aziz, Qubayat Tahad, Zaghreen, Kitkun Samna, Al-Qadiriya and Datin" were subjected to arrests, violations and looting, in addition to the continued lack of security and basic services.
While no official statistics have been released on the volume of displacement and victims, data from eyewitnesses indicate a growing trend among the members of these communities to seek protection to escape the reality of repeated violence, amid escalating calls for international protection and security guarantees, in light of the lack of confidence in the forces on the ground.
Sh-S
ANHA
