SNA faction seizes kidney dialysis machines in Syria’s Sere Kaniye
SERE KANIYE, Syria (North Press) – On Monday, militants of the Hamza Division, affiliated with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), seized two kidney dialysis machines while they were being transported to the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), northeastern Syria.
On Aug. 17, the US Department of Treasury sanctioned the Hamza Division and its leader Saif Abu Bakr, along with another SNA faction called the Sultan Suleiman Shah Division (al-Amshat), over “serious human rights abuses” in northern Syria.
A medical source from a hospital in Sere Kaniye informed North Press that the Hamza militants seized two kidney dialysis machines while being transferred from the city of Tel Abyad, northern Syria, to Sere Kaniye after stopping the vehicle carrying the machines under the pretext of inspection.
The source further stated that two machines were intended for a hospital in Sere Kaniye. The technical team responsible for their transportation and installation reported the theft incident to the SNA’s Military Police in the city, but no action was taken.
The source elaborated that the theft took place after the driver and the technical team were forcibly removed from the vehicle. They were handcuffed, and then the truck carrying the machines was taken by the militants.
Similarly, another medical source at the same hospital has confirmed that there are 172 patients who require kidney dialysis, some of whom are in critical condition.
The source further indicated that, due to the growing number of cases and the hospital’s increasing demand, they had made a request for kidney dialysis machines from a hospital in Tel Abyad.
The cities of Sere Kaniye and Tel Abyad and their surrounding areas have been under the occupation of Turkish forces and SNA factions since Oct. 2019 following a military operation dubbed ‘Peace Spring’.