QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Some seven kilometers distance from the gas facility in the village of Suwaydiya in the countryside of Derik (al-Malikiyah) in the far northeast Syria, Fadel al-Khadaan is concerned about Turkish military escalation against the region and threats of a new ground invasion into north Syria.
Al-Jadaan, 47, at his village of Khadaan in the countryside of Derik said, “When Turkey shelled the gas facility our children underwent panic. Water and power were cut off.”
Al-Jadaan told North Press, “This is not the first time Turkey shells our region, we do not want destabilization and displacement.”
Since November 20, 2022, Turkish air force has launched intense airstrikes on all AANES-held areas on Syrian-Turkish border in addition to bombarding areas which are more than 40 km away from the border such as the Global Coalition military base and Hawl Camp in Hasakah and the village of Makman in the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.
Vital facilities and infrastructure including gas, diesel and power centers were targeted by the Turkish airstrikes. All of them are located in the countryside of Derik.
On the first day of the escalation, the power plant at the village of Taqil Baqil in the same area was targeted. It was completely destroyed so that 65 villages remained without electricity.
In a statement made to media outlets, Mazloum Abdi, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander in Chief said the attacks claimed the lives of 14 civilians.
However, although the bombardment has been receded, people are perturbed with fears and threats of a new military operation into the region that could aggravate the situation more.
In the village of Suwaydiya, that is just 3 km from the power plant; Rojhat Hassan voiced his fears, as all locals, over the loud sounds of shelling that targeted their region.
“Up to now, students have not returned to schools, and electricity is not a sustainable one,” Hassan said.
“People are fearful and they voice concerns over their children and future,” Hassan noted.
With the return of calm locals try to lead a normal life as previously they did.
On the main road leading to the gas facility which traffic has nearly returned to its previous status, Saeed Muhammad tends a flock of sheep while he chats with a group of men in the village of Seigra.
Muhammad whose village is a 3 km distance from the gas facility said “Turkey is an inhumane state, it shells civilian facilities, we were horrified by shelling, and we fear that it could repeat it.”
“If Turkey wants to fight let it go to fronts without drones, not striking populated areas, hitting power, water and bread,” Muhammad said angrily.
The man rejects to leave his village behind, as most of people of the region. He calls on the international community and human rights organizations to prevent Turkey from its acts targeting armless civilians.
“We will not leave our lands behind,” he noted defiantly.