The Shehba region, which houses the displaced people of Afrin, is under the embargo of the Syrian regime as well as attacks by the Turkish army and its mercenaries. The Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighbourhoods of Aleppo are also under the embargo.

Afrin Canton Co-Chair Mihemed Neso and Kongra Star Aleppo Coordination Member Roşîn Musa spoke to ANF about the latest situation in the Shehba region, the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighbourhoods under embargo.

The Shehba region has a population of more than 200 thousand. The region is also home to 5 refugee camps. 2,000 families live in Afrin, Shehba, Veger, Serdem and Berxwedan camps, where living conditions have become more difficult with the arrival of winter.

15 THOUSAND STUDENTS DEPRIVED OF EDUCATION

The Shehba region is currently facing heating problems and power cuts due to the lack of fuel. 70 schools in the region have been suspended. 15 thousand students cannot receive education, while 950 teachers cannot continue their profession.

HEALTH SERVICES RESTRICTED

Two hospitals in the Fafin and Til Rifet districts have restricted health services. Due to limited fuel and medical supplies, treatment of people with serious illnesses has been interrupted despite their life-threatening conditions.

TWO BAKERIES STOPPED WORKING

Two out of the nine bakeries in the region have recently stopped their operations. There is a limited amount of flour left in seven other bakeries that bake bread for the people of the region. Considering the suspension of fuel and flour supply to the region, seven bakeries are very likely to close down.

RUSSIA TURNS A BLIND EYE

Afrin Canton Council Co-Chair Mihemed Neso pointed out that the people of Shehba, who have been living under the Syrian regime embargo and the attacks of the Turkish state for more than 5 years, have been affected physically and mentally. He said: “The daily attacks of the Turkish state against the region continue. It is a plan designed by the Turkish state and the Syrian government. Russia cooperates with both sides, turning a blind eye to the interests of the people of the region.”

MEDICINE CANNOT BE SUPPLIED TO HOSPITALS

Neso remarked that people have been facing challenging living conditions since the day they migrated to the Shehba region. He said: “The most important issue right now is that medicine cannot be supplied to our hospitals. Medications are completely over at our medical centre. Hospitals can no longer function to serve patients. There is neither fuel nor medication. Breathing devices do not work without electricity. Each medication needs a different heat rate in order to be protected. It is impossible to meet the needs of life without fuel. We are in the winter season. The elderly and children have become sick. Hospitals cannot handle the treatment of patients, and patients cannot be transported to hospitals due to the stopping of vehicles at check points. Doctors are desperate due to health conditions.

FORCED DISPLACEMENT

Remarking that 15,000 students have been deprived of education, Neso continued: “Since most of the students live in villages, fuel is needed for school buses and the heating system at schools. The region is facing a major threat. The Syrian government has put into effect the policy of forced displacement. This policy relies on an alliance between the Turkish state and the Syrian government. While the Turkish state is seeking to destroy the region militarily, the Syrian government is intimidating people with starvation. Therefore, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is facing a coup that suspends its operations.”

BOTH NEIGHBORHOODS UNDER EMBARGO

More than 250 thousand people reside in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighbourhoods of Aleppo. The neighbourhoods which have 8 bakeries serving the local people have reduced the number of bakeries to four due to the lack of fuel and flour. Electricity can be provided to two neighbourhoods for only three hours a day. Education and training institutions, which take care of more than 5 thousand students, have also been suspended due to lack of fuel. The Martyr Xalid Fajr Hospital has restricted its services because of the shortage of fuel and medical supplies.

A CHILD DIED

In the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood, four-year-old Wisam Sîdo died of cold weather on January 2 due to the lack of fuel. Sîdo's family, who is originally from the Qeretebê village of Shera, migrated to Sheikh Maqsoud after the invasion of Afrin.

Kongra Star Aleppo Coordination Member Roşîn Musa pointed out that the Syrian government prevented the supply of flour, children's milk, fuel, gas and food to the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighbourhoods. Musa said: “This is an embargo from Aleppo to Shehba. The Syrian government does not even allow the supply of child's milk into the region.”

SYRIAN REGIME HELPS TURKISH ATTACKS

Roşîn Musa continued: “The Syrian government uses various methods to create chaos, destroy security and common life among Syrians through weapons, hunger and embargo. The Damascus government paves the way for the invasion attacks of the Turkish state. International humanitarian organizations also turn a blind eye to the current situation. International forces should impose sanctions on these countries so that the peoples of Syria do not face a humanitarian disaster.”