The people of Al-Bukamal staying in camps in Northern Syria say, “SDF is the path to salvation for our city. We want SDF to save all of Syria from pillaging,” and call on the SDF to liberate their city.
ISIS gangs invaded Deir ez-Zor’s Al-Bukamal city 5 years ago, and the city was taken over by regime forces earlier this year. Following clashes between regime forces and ISIS gangs, the city residents migrated and settled in camps in SDF liberated areas of Northern Syria, to the east and south of Hasakah in particular and in camps to the north of Raqqa (Ayn Isa, Al-Karama, Hawl and others).
The people of Al-Bukamal who were forced to migrate spoke about the hardship they experienced under ISIS and during clashes between the regime and ISIS gangs. Hisen Eli, one of the migrants from Al-Bukamal, said: “During ISIS’ time, the city disappeared. They stole all our property. After the regime advanced towards the city, there were violent clashes between them. Regime jets bombed the city, and a large portion of the city was demolished. So we fled to SDF controlled areas.”
Hisen Eli said the camp administration sees to necessities without discrimination among migrants.
Hisen Eli said the SDF is a guarantee for the security of the region and added that they want the SDF to liberate their city.
Migrant Foza Yusif said Northern Syrian regions are the safest throughout Syria and that she hopes for security to be established throughout Syria. Foza Yusif said the presence of the regime in the city and what they did is an obstacle for their return, and added that the daily mortar fire by the regime has caused massacres and that young people are being detained or forcibly taken to battle fronts.
Enud El Casim said they are glad to be in SDF controlled regions and added: “We saw much tyranny from ruling forces in the Al-Bukamal city. When we arrived in the Ayn Isa camp, we felt safe for the first time. We had the chance to work and continue education again.”
