By Zana al-Ali
TABQA, Syria (North Press) – Thousands of civilians in northern Syria face displacement, violence, and despair following intensified military operations by Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), on the northern countryside of Aleppo.
On Nov. 27, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, once known as al-Nusra Front) launched “Deterrence of the Aggression,” seizing significant governorates of Idlib, Aleppo, and Hama.
Just days later, on Nov. 30, the SNA factions initiated “Dawn of Freedom,” operation capturing the town of Tel Rifaat in the north Aleppo after clashes with Kurdish Afrin Liberation Forces, a local armed group.
The operation displaced thousands of families, many of whom had already been forced to flee Afrin in 2018 following the Turkish “Olive Branch Operation”.
Zainab Muhammad, an elderly woman, described her dire circumstances: “We have been on the streets for three days,” added that “My husband is old and sick, and our situation is tragic.”
The woman, displaced twice, first from Afrin in northwestern Syria in 2018 following the Turkish offensive, and second from Tel Rifaat. She indicated that “My son is missing, and my daughters are displaced in the wilderness. How can this be acceptable?”
Shahbaz Hassan Murshid, a car rental business owner also displaced twice, reported theft and abuse by armed factions: “I lost 12 cars. They detained my son for a day and almost kidnapped my daughter.”
“They threatened us, waved knives, and left bodies on the roads to terrorize us,” he added, horrifying scene, “They beheaded a man and displayed his head in the town square to instill fear.”
Farhan Rashid, another double-displacement victim, fled with his family under harrowing conditions. He said, “We escaped with only our clothes and children.”
“The [SNA] factions pursued us, leaving residents terrified. Some were detained, others killed.” Addressing global leaders, Rashid implored: “You prohibit the slaughter of sheep to avoid seeing blood, yet you tolerate the slaughter of humans. What kind of conscience allows this?”
As displaced civilians endure unimaginable hardships, the international community is urged to take action to address the violence and provide urgent humanitarian aid. The ongoing conflict has left many with little hope and no safe haven.