People of NE Syria insist on sending aid to Syrian coast

On Thursday, April 11, the second humanitarian aid convoy departed from the city of Qamishlo in Jazira Canton, heading toward the coastal areas. The convoy carried approximately 14,000 food and hygiene baskets, along with tons of flour.

The convoy arrived in Tabqa on Friday and resumed its journey toward the coast on the morning of the following day. However, forces of the Damascus government forced the convoy to return to Tabqa.

The Popular Initiative of the People of North and East Syria held a press statement at the Tabqa crossing to clarify the details of the aid campaign.

The statement was read by Ibtisam Al-Hussein, the spokesperson for the Kongra Star, who said the initiative was launched in response to the humanitarian disaster affecting residents of the Syrian coast amid worsening living conditions.

“We, a group of residents from North and East Syria, launched a volunteer campaign to collect donations. We succeeded in organizing a first aid convoy that included more than 6,000 food baskets and 355 tons of flour, which were distributed as emergency relief to residents of the Syrian coast,” al-Hussein stated.

“Due to the large number of those affected and the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation, we prepared a second, larger convoy containing 14,000 food baskets and cleaning supplies. Despite taking all necessary steps to coordinate with the relevant authorities, we were surprised when the convoy was denied passage upon reaching the Khanasir checkpoint at 9 a.m., where volunteers and truck drivers were subjected to mistreatment and insults by elements affiliated with the Damascus government, in addition to repeated acts of provocation," Al-Hussein added.

Regarding the obstacles the campaign faced, she said: “The security forces removed and confiscated the banners bearing the names of the cities contributing to the campaign and demanded that the trucks be unloaded at warehouses of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. This request was rejected by the people in both the coastal region and in North and East Syria, to ensure that the aid reaches those in need without manipulation or politicization.”

The initiative concluded its statement by reaffirming “its determination to deliver the aid to those in need and calling for the opening of neutral humanitarian corridors.

This step comes as part of ongoing civil efforts by residents of North and East Syria to affirm the unity of the Syrian people and to strengthen social solidarity in the face of humanitarian disasters.

a.k

ANHA