Settlers in Syria’s Ras al-Ain protest against poor service situation
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – On Monday, dozens of settlers in the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), north of Hasakah, which is under the control of the Turkish army and its affiliated armed opposition groups, protested against the poor living and service situation.
It is the second protest this week by settlers there, who live among widespread unemployment amid the armed groups’ infighting over power and loot, according to local sources.
The Turkish invasion of the area in late 2019 caused the displacement of thousands of Sere Kaniye’s residents, who would be replaced by thousands of settlers from the families of the opposition groups and their supporters.
The settlers, who gathered at al-Alaf Roundabout in the center of the city of Sere Kaniye, carried banners denouncing the poor service and living conditions.
They also demanded the resignation of officials in the local council established by Turkish authorities in the city, while chanting slogans accusing them of corruption.
The protest ended with an armed clash between the Military Police and the Hamza Brigade group, after mutual accusations of suppressing the protest, according to sources in the city.
On May 6, doctors and workers at the Public Hospital went on strike after not receiving their salaries for months, amid accusations by pro-Turkish opposition groups of seizing their financial allocations.
In mid-April, the city witnessed another protest in front of the local council due to the deteriorating economic and living conditions.