IDPs from Afrin assert their right to return home

  In 2018, Turkish forces and their allied mercenaries launched a military operation against Afrin, a city that had served as a sanctuary for its residents and tens of thousands of Syrians fleeing conflict between the Ba'ath regime, armed groups, and mercenaries. This campaign, marked by intense aerial bombardments and violent assaults, culminated in the city's occupation and the forced displacement of over 300,000 residents.

 Seeking refuge from the ravages of war, the displaced sought safety in Shahba, establishing temporary camps that became their home for seven years. These camps, located close to Afrin, symbolized a persistent hope for an imminent return. However, this hope was shattered once again in late 2024 when Turkish forces and their mercenaries launched a fresh offensive on Tal Rifaat and Shahba, displacing over 100 individuals anew.

 Khalil Abdo Abdullah, a displaced individual from Kawarco village in Jindires district, recounts the agonizing details of his initial forced displacement: “In 2018, Turkish warplanes filled the sky, indiscriminately targeting civilians and fighters alike. Houses, schools, and roads were bombarded without distinction. In the end, we had no choice but to flee. We headed to Shahba, hoping to stay close to Afrin, but our return never materialized.”

 The Second Displacement: Repeated Pain and Enduring Hardship

 The second wave of displacement proved equally catastrophic. Khalil recalls with anguish the moment they were forced to evacuate Shahba: “We were building a simple life despite the harsh conditions, cultivating the land and creating a semblance of normalcy. Suddenly, we were ordered to evacuate without any time to prepare. We carried only what we could hold, leaving behind the memories and resistance we had built in Shahba.”

On the treacherous journey to Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, families endured severe conditions. Khalil describes the ordeal: “The cold was biting, and the road was long and arduous. We encountered horrifying scenes, including bodies lying along the roadside. Yet, we pressed forward, refusing to surrender to Turkish occupation.”

 Widad Jamil, a mother of six, recounts her repeated displacements: “This is the third time my family and I have been uprooted. My children have endured indescribable conditions. We live in a perpetual state of alienation and displacement, yearning only to return home. Why are other Syrians allowed to return while we remain exiled?”

She continues with sorrow: “We left everything behind—our homes, memories, and even basic necessities. Now, we live in Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo, but our hearts remain in Afrin.'

 Suad Mohammed Hassan, displaced twice, shares her emotional struggle: “Each time we are forced to flee, our attachment to Afrin grows stronger. We want nothing more than to return to our land. We will not relinquish our right to reclaim our homes. No matter how much the occupiers try to erase our identity, we will endure.”

Suad emphasizes unity among Afrin’s people, stating: “In these difficult times, we must unite as Kurds and as people of Afrin. If we remain steadfast, we will reclaim our land. We do not seek vengeance, only the right to live with dignity on our soil.”

 Call for Justice

 Afrin's displaced people urge the international community to assume its responsibilities regarding their plight. Khalil states: “All peoples who have suffered occupation and displacement have been granted their right to return. Why are we an exception? The world must understand that Afrin is not just a piece of land—it is an identity and a history.”

 Khalil concludes: “We want only to return to our homes, to bring this long journey of suffering to an end, and to live with dignity on our land. Afrin awaits us, and we will not abandon it.”

a.k

ANHA