SDF commander appeals to Syrians stranded in Algeria to return
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander in Chief, Mazloum Abdi appealed on Thursday to Syrians, who hail from areas in northeastern Syria, stranded in Algeria to return to their homeland.
Abdi expressed readiness to provide all needed facilitations for their “safe and dignified return.”
The Syrians stranded in Algeria fear they are handed over to the Syrian government.
The SDF Commander in Chief, in an exclusive statement to North Press, said authorities in northeastern Syria will provide all needed facilities and help to secure the return of those trapped in Algeria.
In his statement to North Press, Abdi added that the authorities in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) are working to free the stranded Syrians in Algeria through diplomatic methods.
He stressed the need to, “secure safety of our people and their safe return.”
During the current month, 18 Syrians lost their lives nearby coastal city of Oran in Algeria, risking their lives through the sea to reach Europe.
Statistics revealed that most of the drowned Syrians are residents of the Syrian city of Kobani.
An exclusive source from the AANES revealed to North Press the near-completion of legal measures taken to bring the dead bodies of the Syrians drowned off Algerian coast.
The AANES measures came in response to growing appeals by families of the victims that the bodies should be returned.
The source added the AANES has founded a special committee, including diplomats and representatives of the administration abroad, in order to be able “soon” to get the bodies back.
The committee is following up on the issue of those trapped in Algeria to have them released and facilitate their “safe and dignified return,” according to the source.
On October 17, Muhammad Shahin, co-chair of the Executive Council in the Euphrates region in Kobani, said in an exclusive statement to North Press that the AANES will return the dead bodies of the victims on its own expenses, but legal challenges impede efforts made on this issue.
Hundreds of Syrians are still stranded in Algeria, willing to return to their cities, but many obstacles, the most notable of which is the illegal entry, foil attempts to get them back.
Migration from Syria is increasing in general, fleeing deteriorating living conditions and dire security measures in a country ravaged by warring parties.
Since January, dozens of migrants have drowned in the Mediterranean on their way to Europe.
On September 20, a Lebanese boat onboard nearly 150 Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinians among other migrants sank off coast of the Syrian city of Tartus close to Arwad Island.