The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has warned that the current Turkish offensive could lead to further unrest in the region’s camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which mainly house the families of ISIS prisoners.
The warning came at a press conference in Qamushli (Qamişlo) on Saturday. Officials from AANES departments, the region’s detention centres, IDP camps and other relevant authorities attended the briefing to provide insight into the dangers posed by Turkish attacks on these facilities.
Khalid Remo, co-chair of the Justice and Enforcement Department of the AANES, drew attention to the impact of the ongoing conflict: “This situation has also affected our detention facilities. The stability of these facilities depends on the general situation in the region, so in response, we have taken certain security measures”.
Remo stressed that the camps and correctional facilities are now under “great threat”, as “ISIS militants take action in such circumstances”. He went on to say that the potential for an escape from these facilities “is therefore very real”.
Sheikhmus Ahmed, co-chair of the Refugees and Migrants Department, pointed out that the airstrikes were taking place in the vicinity of the Washukani (Waşukani) camp, posing a significant risk to its residents.
Ahmed expressed deep concern about the dangerous conditions inside the camp, especially for women and children. He noted that 12 humanitarian organisations had already withdrawn from the camp as a result of the Turkish attacks.
The Turkish military have also been carrying out air strikes in the vicinity of the Roj camp, which is home to some 2,500 foreign ISIS families. Ahmed believes that these Turkish actions are aimed at creating instability within the camp.
Furthermore, the Directorate of Justice and Prisons confirmed that the ongoing Turkish airstrikes have added to disruption of the work of rehabilitation centres for the children of ISIS fighters.
The statement, released on Saturday, cited the safety and well-being of staff, workers and children as a primary concern, explaining that the airstrikes have not only targeted military positions, but also posed a significant threat to civilian infrastructure. “The Turkish offensive has created an environment in which it would be reckless and life-threatening to continue our work”, the agency said.
