Amid ongoing clashes in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, a substantial number of displaced Syrians and Lebanese citizens are seeking refugee both in regime-controlled areas of Syria and in the autonomous region governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The AANES, also known as Rojava, has swiftly implemented crucial measures to manage the influx of displaced people into the region.
Crisis management centres have been opened by the AANES dedicated to finding suitable housing and providing immediate support to facilitate the resettlement of returnees and other refugees from Lebanon.
In this context, Şêxmûs Ehmed, co-director of the refugee camps and a member of North and East Syria’s Crisis Desk, revealed in an interview with northern Syrian media outlet Hawar News Agency that the required documentation has already been prepared for Lebanese refugees and returning Syrian citizens, particularly for those without family ties in the region. The crisis management centres operate around the clock to ensure that these individuals receive essential assistance.
Ahmad further stated that the Crisis Desk is not only focused on supporting displaced families but also responsible for managing the burial of those deceased. In this capacity, both the Crisis Desk and the Foreign Relations Office of the AANES are in close contact with the Lebanese government and local authorities to coordinate efforts.
The AANES has applied to international organisations, urging them to apply pressure for the reopening of the Ya’rubiyah (Tıl Koçer) border gate between Syria and Iraq, which would enable vital humanitarian aid to reach the area. However, no agreement has yet been secured. The United Nations Security Council closed the border gate in 2019 after a veto from Russia and China.
Despite significant administrative challenges, the AANES currently hosts over 7,700 Syrians who have returned from Lebanon in response to the recent crisis, part of an estimated 100,000 total displaced persons into Syria as a whole. To accommodate these individuals, two new camps, Erisheh (Erîşe) Camp and Newroz Camp have been established in Jazira (Cizîrê) Canton and an additional camp, Adnaniyeh, in Raqqa Canton.
