QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced on Wednesday that it sent 100 oil tankers to the city of Aleppo from the crossing with the Syrian government of al-Tayiha, said Sadiq al-Khalaf, co-chair of the AANES Fuel Directorate.
In a statement read in front of the UN office in the city of Qamishli on Tuesday, the AANES called on the UN to exert pressure on Ankara and Damascus to open crossings to allow aid reach people hit by the earthquake.
Since the very first day the earthquake hit north Syria, the AANES voiced its readiness to send aid to all areas hit by the quake.
On the second day, co-chair of the Executive Council of the AANES Berivan Khaled called in a tweet on the UN to render assistance and support “amid the blockade imposed on northeast Syria.”
Khaled noted to the necessity of “re-opening border crossings most notably that of Tel Kocher [al-Yaroubiya],” adding that the situation requires immediate actions based on humanitarian grounds.
According to recent figures released by the Syrian Health Ministry, 1.414 deaths have been confirmed and 2.357 injuries in areas under government-held areas.
About 2.274 deaths and 12.400 injuries have been reported in areas under the Syrian opposition, according to the opposition’s Civil Defense (White Helmets). Six deaths and 65 injuries were reported in AANES areas.
AANES efforts
Yesterday, the AANES announced that 145 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid provided by locals and tribes in North and East Syria reached areas hit by the quake in northwest Syria.
Since the onset of the quake up to Wednesday, 60 trucks crossed Umm Jloud crossing and 85 others crossed that of Awn al-Dadat.
On Monday, facilitated by the AANES, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) sent a truck of aid via Umm Jloud crossing in Manbij towards northwest Syria.
Two days ago, the AANES renewed its readiness to support areas hit by the quake in the entire country.
In a statement, the AANES said it welcomes everyone to receive any kind of aid, care and treatment. Yesterday, 100 oil tankers reached areas hit by the quake in Aleppo.
Earlier, Co-chair of the Fuel Directorate Abeer Khaled told North Press the decision came as “initial support for relief efforts in these areas.”
Kurdish Red Crescent
Early in the week, Kurdish Red Crescent sent a convoy of aid to people in Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo.
According to administrator in the Kurdish body, Ahmad Ibrahim, “The second aid convoy to Sheikh Maqsoud included paramedics, anesthetists, doctors and ambulances. Foodstuff, blankets, and tents were included too.”
Ibrahim told North Press that the convoy included two trucks and a commercial vehicle.
In turn, Commander in Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families in whole Syrian territories, voicing at the same time readiness to “give a hand of help and assistance.”
For her part, Ilham Ahmad, President of the Executive Council of Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), said, “Regional and global solidarity is important to help affected people.”
Co- chair of AANES’s Foreign Relations Department Badran Chia Kurd said the AANES will not hesitate to help all those affected by the earthquake.
A fundraising campaign was mounted by the Autonomous Administration under “Together for Humanity.”
Obstacles against aid delivery
Reports indicated that the AANES faces obstructions in reaching aid to areas hit by the quake whether into those under the Syrian government or those held by the opposition.
Director of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) Rami Abdulrahman told al-Modon that Turkey rejects AANES’ convoys be allowed into areas in northwest Syria.
“Those running crossings controlled by pro-Turkey factions have no say in this relation. They fear they could be liquidated by Turkish intelligence or arrested in case they allow aid in.”
Similarly, a source told North Press that activists in opposition-held areas are fearful of calling for receiving aid provided by the AANES following threats made by militants of the pro-Turkey opposition factions.