Tragedy beneath worn-out tents… Waiting for return to Afrin

A displaced family of 11 is living in two worn-out tents in central Kobani after being forced to flee following attacks launched on January 17 by factions affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government and backed by Turkey on the countryside and towns of Al-Tabqa and Raqqa. The attacks later extended toward Kobani, leading to the displacement of hundreds of families to various areas across Rojava.

Hundreds of displaced families moved into Kobani’s city center, where shelters were opened for them. Among them are displaced people from Afrin who had previously been residing in Raqqa.

On one of the streets in central Kobani, the family set up two small tents covered with blankets and worn-out cloth to protect themselves from the cold.

The displaced woman, Hajar Abdullah, who lives with her family of 11 in the two tents, said: “We only have two blankets and two mattresses to shield ourselves from the cold. We survive on aid from the people of Kobani and endure the cold and hunger in the hope of returning to Afrin.”

She added: “We desperately want to return to our homeland in Afrin. We are living a real tragedy under these worn-out tents, and no organization or relief agency has visited us. Our situation is extremely difficult. We are two families, and each family has only two mattresses and two blankets.”

Hajar Abdullah explained that when it rains, they are forced to light a fire to keep warm, especially because there are young children, and they stay awake late into the night before entering the tents.

For his part, the displaced man Faisal Hussein, one of the family members, said they hope to return to their homes and property in Afrin:

“We are living in harsh conditions. The people of Kobani have not failed us, but we want to return to our land. We are now living only on blankets. We want to live with dignity — dignity above all.”

Faisal pointed out that Kobani has been under siege since January 20, adding:

“Our means of livelihood have been cut off. We are living under a suffocating siege, and our communications with relatives have also been severed.”

The population of Kobani is currently estimated at around 600,000 people, including hundreds of displaced individuals, amid a suffocating siege and a severe shortage of basic necessities such as medicines and children’s supplies, along with a noticeable absence of relief organizations.

According to the January 29 agreement concluded between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Government, displaced persons were supposed to return to their homes; however, this provision has not yet been implemented.

ANHA