NGO warns of risk of Semalka crossing closure on people in NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Directorate General of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) warned, on Tuesday, of a “serious risk” of the ongoing closure of Semalka-Faysh Khabour border crossing on people in northeast Syria.
ECHO said, in a press release, “A continued closure of the crossing point constitutes a serious risk for more than 2 million people in northeast Syria dependent on humanitarian assistance.”
On May 11, the management of the Faysh Khabour crossing sent a notice to the NGOs informing them that the crossing was closed until further notice. The management did not reveal the reasons for the closure.
300 international humanitarian staff had been evacuated from the region due to the closure decision, according to ECHO.
“Donors are engaged with authorities in Iraq and other stakeholders advocating for a humanitarian exemption on this vital supply route, allowing humanitarian supplies and staff to cross into northeast Syria,” according to the NGO.
The Semalka–Faysh Khabur is one of the most crucial border crossings for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), especially after the closure of al-Ya’rubiyah (Tel Kocher) border crossing in 2020 due to Russian-Chinese vetoes.
Residents of northeastern Syria are calling for not politicizing the crossing, since it is a vital humanitarian lifeline, as well as, it is a commercial outlet through which various goods enter the region.