Northern Syria Humanitarian Crisis: Displacement Ongoing from Aleppo for Raqqa
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Displacement from northern Aleppo continues unabated as families flee military operations led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) and Turkish-backed factions. Thousands have arrived in Raqqa over the past two days, seeking refuge in makeshift shelters.
Displacement Statistics
Shelter Locations: Schools like Hamida al-Tahir in Raqqa’s al-Firdaws district now serve as temporary homes.
Current Shelter Conditions:
71 families (271 individuals) housed in 30 classrooms.
Majority are women, children, and elderly.
Facilities lack essential supplies, furniture, and energy sources.
Voices on the Ground
A teacher, Aokab Mohammed, shared concerns over the harsh conditions. “The school isn’t equipped for this. Temperatures drop below freezing at night, posing severe risks to children and women,” he said.
Efforts by local initiatives and the Autonomous Administration fall short of meeting basic needs, as numbers rise daily. Mohammed called for urgent international intervention to address immediate necessities like heating, bedding, and food supplies.
Scale of Displacement
Sheikhmous Ahmed, head of the Autonomous Administration’s Office of Organizations, estimates up to 120,000 individuals could seek refuge in northeastern Syria. Refugees are currently dispersed across schools, the municipal stadium, and private homes of acquaintances in Raqqa.
International Appeal
Local authorities and humanitarian workers are urging global organizations to mobilize resources and deliver critical aid. As the crisis intensifies, the need for coordinated international efforts grows ever more pressing to prevent further suffering amid worsening winter conditions.
Reporting by Zana Al-Ali & Saad Al-Yazijy