Elî Henan is currently living through his third forced displacement due to attacks by the Turkish state and its allied factions on Shehba and Tall Refaat on 29 November. These attacks forced him and his family to leave on 2 December. Henan talked to ANF about his life story, marked by repeated displacements and unending hardship.

A life of forced displacements

Henan recounted the tragedies his family had endured, along with the devastating toll of constant displacement. His first displacement occurred in 2016, when attacks by Turkish-backed militias, particularly the Free Syrian Army, forced them to flee Afrin as the violence engulfed Aleppo. Two years later, in 2018, a new wave of attacks targeting Afrin once again forced Henan and his family to leave their home, this time relocating to Shehba.

Six years after being displaced from Afrin to Shehba, new attacks on 29 November pushed the family to flee once more. On 2 December, they embarked on a journey to Tabqa. After staying there for only four days, circumstances forced them to move again, this time to Hesekê, where they now reside. "We have no house to shelter us, no water to wash ourselves," Henan said, describing their current dire conditions. He also highlighted the immense struggle faced by hundreds of displaced families in meeting their basic needs.

Worry about the more vulnerable

Henan expressed particular concern for his elderly mother, who is 70 years old, and his two young children, aged 2 and 8. He described the daily challenges of protecting them during harsh winter conditions without access to a proper house, a heater, or adequate food.

He recalled the initial struggles of arriving in Shehba in 2018 and how they managed to endure the hardships: "At first, we faced unbearable difficulties. Our winters passed under embargo, as the regime blocked fuel deliveries and imposed severe restrictions. But over time, with the solidarity of the local community, we learned to stand on our own feet." Henan spoke about the six years his family spent living in tents, enduring scorching summers and freezing winters, which left deep physical and emotional scars.

'We turned Shehba into heaven'

Henan proudly said that they turned Shehba, a desolate and desert-like area, into a livable place. "We transformed Shehba into a paradise, drawing from our cultural roots and the spirit of solidarity. Through neighborly bonds and mutual support, we made the area habitable."

However, just as they had started to rebuild their lives, another forced migration shattered their stability. "Everyone had managed to create some form of livelihood, but we were once again displaced," Henan said, expressing his anger and frustration at the Turkish state and its allies.

The burden of starting again

As a tailor, Henan had managed to provide for his family despite the challenging circumstances. "I ran a small tailoring shop and was able to make ends meet," he said. "But migration is never easy. It means building a home from scratch, securing electricity, water, and organizing schooling for the children. It’s an endless series of difficulties that are impossible to count." Henan pointed out that displacement is not just a physical ordeal but also an emotional and psychological trauma that deeply affects those who endure it.

'We Will Keep Resisting'

Despite the hardships, Henan remains steadfast in his determination: "They want to turn our lives into a prison. They are trying to break us and make us give up. But no matter how difficult things get, we will continue to resist."