Asayish finds UN aid with pro-government militia in Syria’s Qamishli
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Sunday, the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) of North and East Syria revealed that they had found boxes of aid from the United Nations (UN) in the headquarters of the pro-regime militia National Defense (NDF) in Syria’s Qamishli.
The Asayish took the NDF headquarters in Qamishli’s al-Tai neighborhood amid clashes between the two groups, which began on April 20 and continued for several days before Russian mediation led to a temporary ceasefire during which meetings will be held in order to achieve a permanent agreement.
Observers say that Damascus has long hoarded international aid intended for the poor and needy in Syria; North Press previously reported on the government monopolization of aid amid the coronavirus outbreak. The boxes found by Asayish reportedly contain foodstuffs and medical equipment.
Northeast Syria has long struggled to obtain aid, as in December last year, Russia and China used their vetoes in the UN to close the Tel Kocher (Yaroubiya) crossing with Iraq, the only crossing through which the UN was allowed to bring in aid to northern and eastern Syria.
On April 20, the NDF attacked the Asayish checkpoint at al-Wehda Roundabout in the center of Qamishli, killing a member of the Asayish and sparking clashes that lasted several days and killed a child and a sheikh who attempted to mediate the clashes.