Thousands Shia Stranded by Turkey-backed Factions Near Nubl and Zahraa in northern Syria
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Approximately 2,000 displaced individuals from the predominantly Shia towns of Nubl and Zahraa in northern Aleppo countryside remain stranded near al-Safira, raising fears of sectarian reprisals amid ongoing conflict. Turkish-backed Sunni factions, including the Syrian National Army (SNA) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have denied safe passage to these residents, leaving them exposed to extreme conditions.
A History of Sectarian Tensions
Nubl and Zahraa, surrounded by Sunni-majority areas, have long been viewed as strongholds aligned with the Syrian government. During the civil war, the government relied heavily on Iranian-backed Shia militias and Hezbollah to maintain control in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, regions largely populated by Syria’s Sunni majority.
The current crisis has revived deep-seated animosities. Activists fear that Turkish-backed Sunni factions harbor historic grievances against Shia communities, accusing them of supporting government offensives in Sunni-majority areas like Idlib and rural Aleppo. These tensions have fueled concerns of potential retaliatory violence against the displaced, especially given the heightened sectarian rhetoric that has emerged during the conflict.
Dire Humanitarian Conditions
Since Friday, the stranded residents have been forced to sleep in the open, with no access to food, water, or medical care. Activists describe their situation as “life-threatening,” particularly for vulnerable groups like women, children, and the elderly.
Humanitarian agencies have reported difficulties in reaching these areas due to the refusal of HTS and the SNA to allow access.
Calls for International Action
Human rights advocates warn that the sectarian dynamics surrounding this crisis necessitate urgent international intervention. Failure to address these tensions could result in further marginalization of displaced communities and escalate violence in the region.
This latest crisis underscores the intersection of Syria’s sectarian divisions and its worsening humanitarian catastrophe, as civilian populations bear the brunt of geopolitical and ethnic rivalries.