Serê Kaniyê IDPs remain committed to their right to return despite their suffering

The displaced people from Serê Kaniyê/Ras al-Ain remain committed to their right to return to their city and villages, despite the continued obstacles preventing thousands of them from returning and the suspension of the return process following the events that accompanied the first convoy. They are calling for guarantees of a safe and stable return and an end to their suffering in the camps.

As winter approaches, the displaced are increasingly concerned in light of the destruction that has affected several homes and villages. The occupation of their homes and properties and the refusal to vacate them, along with demands by some occupants for financial payments in exchange for leaving, constitute the main obstacles to their return.

Calls for return before winter

In this context, displaced person Sarhan al-Ahmad, from the village of al-Arisha and currently residing in Washokani Camp north of Hasakah, said: “Organizing sit-ins and demanding a return to our villages and homes comes as a result of the suffering and difficult circumstances we are experiencing inside the camps.”

He added that the displaced want to end their suffering and return to their areas, despite being aware of the extent of the destruction that has affected them.

He affirmed their determination to return, begin rebuilding their homes, secure a better future for their children, and ensure their right to education.

He pointed out that winter is approaching and that around 90 percent of the homes in Al-Arisha village have been destroyed. He called for speeding up the return procedures in a way that would allow families to build temporary shelters before winter arrives.

Occupied homes and calls for their evacuation

For his part, displaced person Saleh al-Ma'arai said: “After seven years of displacement and suffering, we call on the relevant authorities to return us to our homes and have the people residing in them vacate them.”

He added that their homes have been damaged and are occupied by people from Deir ez-Zor, who refuse to vacate them and are demanding payments of up to $3,000 in exchange for leaving.

Al-Ma'arai confirmed that after the occupants refused to vacate the house and demanded money, he filed a complaint with the relevant government authorities, but received no response.

Al-Ma'arai called for ensuring the safe and stable return of the displaced to their city and enabling them to recover their homes and properties.

Gun threats while seeking to reclaim a Home

For her part, displaced woman Fatima al-Ali said that she went to her home and was threatened with a weapon while demanding to reclaim it. The occupants refused to vacate the house and demanded that she pay $3,000 in exchange for leaving.

She stressed that years of displacement in the camps had exacerbated their suffering and that their primary demand is to return to their homes. She questioned the ability of the government authorities to guarantee their return and the recovery of their properties.

She called for her home to be vacated and returned to her, after the occupants had taken possession of its contents.

Compensation is insufficient to rebuild destroyed Homes

For his part, displaced person Majed al-Ahmad, from the village of al-Manajir, called for ensuring a safe return for the displaced to their homes and villages so that they can rehabilitate them and provide education for their children.

He pointed out that the compensation provided to the displaced would not be sufficient to rebuild the destroyed homes, given the large sums required. He called for the necessary support to be provided to families so that they can begin rebuilding their properties.

ANHA