Serê Kaniyê return efforts face obstacles

The sixth convoy of displaced people from Serê Kaniyê left the Washokani and Newroz camps today as part of the ongoing return process. Efforts continue to address obstacles preventing families from returning to the city, including disputes over lists of eligible families and the vacating of homes to allow their owners to return.

50 families relocated as authorities work to finalize list of around 100 more

Mahmoud Khalil, deputy head of internal security in Hasakah province for security affairs, said the relevant authorities had relocated 50 families from Serê Kaniyê who originated from the Nashwa and Aziziyah neighborhoods of Hasakah city. Another group of around 100 families was scheduled to leave the city.

Khalil explained that issues had arisen with the list for the second group, involving families who claim to be from Serê Kaniyê, while it is confirmed that they are not originally from the city. The matter must be resolved before their relocation procedures can be completed.

He added that the General Security forces are working to address these issues. The process involves reciprocal home evacuations, whereby families leaving Serê Kaniyê return to their homes in Hasakah, while displaced families from Serê Kaniyê return to their own homes in the city, ensuring that each family can return to its rightful residence.

Housing issues hinder return of displaced people

Khalil said that displaced people were scheduled to return from Hasakah city to Serê Kaniyê, but problems related to housing prevented their return.

He explained that the failure to vacate some homes occupied by people from outside Serê Kaniyê continues to hinder their rightful owners from returning. He added that the relevant authorities are working to resolve the issue and facilitate the displaced families’ return to their homes.

Objections raised over list of sixth group returning to Serê Kaniyê

Regarding the sixth group of families returning to Serê Kaniyê, Mahmoud Khalil said an issue emerged today concerning a list of around 200 families after it became clear that the names of several families wishing to return had not been included.

He explained that the relevant authorities had contacted the families and confirmed that their names were not yet on the list. The Washokani Camp administration is scheduled to discuss the matter with them later in an effort to address the problem and find a solution.

Return date for Serê Kaniyê displaced people in Hasakah remains undetermined

Regarding the timing of return convoys for displaced people from Serê Kaniyê currently living in Hasakah city, Mahmoud Khalil explained that their return is not linked to the groups traveling to Serê Kaniyê, but rather depends on vacating their homes, which are occupied by people from outside the city, to allow the rightful owners to return.

Mahmoud Khalil stressed that the aim is to vacate displaced people’s homes in Serê Kaniyê in preparation for their return. He added that no date has yet been set for the return of displaced people currently residing in Hasakah city.

During the departure of the sixth convoy from the Washokani and Newroz camps to Serê Kaniyê, displaced families from Washokani Camp staged a protest and blocked the road over their failure to receive displaced-person ID cards, despite having lived in the camp since its establishment.

The issue stems from the failure to issue separate cards to some newly formed households created after the sons of families living in the camp got married. Expanding the camp has not been permitted because the available land is insufficient to accommodate additional families.