IDPs from Serekaniye demand safe, dignified return, free from Turkish occupation

The displaced people from Serekaniye, currently residing in Tal Tamr in al-Jazira canton, expressed strong opposition to returning to their city while it remains under the control of the Turkish occupation and its affiliated mercenaries. They emphasized that true return can only happen with the end of the occupation, the re-establishment of the Autonomous Administration's institutions, and with clear guarantees that protect their rights and prevent a repeat of their previous suffering.

Rajab Amin Abdo, a displaced person from the village of al-Rashidiya in the countryside of occupied Serekaniye, stated: “The return we seek is a safe return, one that guarantees our rights and dignity, and under civil administration belonging to the Autonomous Administration not under the supervision of those who occupied our land.”

He confirmed that the humanitarian situation for forcibly displaced people is extremely difficult, yet they prefer to remain where they are rather than return to an occupied city where their dignity is violated and their rights are stripped away.

“Returning under occupation means returning to danger,” he said.

Abdo concluded: “We will not gamble with the lives of our children. The Turkish occupation and its mercenaries left nothing intact in the city. We demand their full withdrawal before any discussion of return.”

For her part, Najma Al-Ahmad, a displaced resident originally from Serekaniye, said: “It is unacceptable to speak of return while the Turkish occupation still imposes its control and its mercenaries continue their violations against those who remained. We all dream of going back, but we want to return in safety.”

She added: “Life here is difficult, but we live in freedom. In occupied Serekaniye, the sound of weapons is louder than anything else. People live in daily fear. Our return must follow the complete liberation of the city.”

Abdulaziz Al-Salem, a displaced person from the village of Aniq Al-Hawa in the countryside of Serekaniye, commented: “We do not reject return, but we reject returning to the unknown. We want to go back to our homes and land not to the control of the armed groups who displaced us and committed atrocities against us.”

He continued: “My home and land are now under the control of mercenaries affiliated with the Turkish occupation. I don’t want to return just to live in fear. I want to go back once the occupation is removed from our city and villages, when there is law, justice, and safety not when weapons rule.”

The displaced people of occupied Serekaniye concluded by affirming their readiness to return to their city once fair and safe conditions are in place. They called on international powers to assume their responsibilities toward the plight of the displaced and work toward ensuring a safe and dignified return to Serekaniye.

ANHA