Amid escalating tensions in northern Syria and mounting threats from Turkish-backed groups, the displacement crisis in the Shahba (Şehba) and Afrin (Efrîn) regions has worsened.
In light of the massive displacement of Kurdish people, primarily former refugees from Afrin, the European representative of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) released a statement, asserting:
“The relentless assaults by armed factions in Aleppo have driven tens of thousands of Kurdish families from Afrin—many of whom were already residing in camps in al-Shahba and Tal Rifat—compelling them to seek safety within the territories governed by the Autonomous Administration. These individuals, including many children, face severe hardships amid freezing conditions, inadequate shelter, and scarce resources. While the autonomous administration and local relief committees are making efforts, the needs far outweigh what is available. On behalf of the Autonomous Administration in Europe, we urge our people in Europe to join the support campaign we have launched. This initiative seeks to ease the suffering of the displaced and address their most urgent needs.”
Sinam Mohamad, the US representative of the Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) political wing, detailed the grave conditions faced by displaced residents of Tel Rifaat. Speaking to Middle East Eye, she reported that these individuals have been targeted by the Syrian National Army (SNA).
“To protect them, we relocated many to north-east Syria, including Tabqa,” she explained. Mohamad condemned the “barbaric practices” of the Islamic State (ISIS) group and emphasised the importance of securing displaced Kurds in their original areas, particularly Aleppo. However, local reports indicate that HTS has besieged areas such as Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, leaving residents without food, water, electricity, or internet.
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has reportedly issued an ultimatum to Kurdish forces: “You can leave if you want, but those with homes, businesses, or work here face an uncertain future,” Mohamad said. She voiced fears of reprisals against those linked to the YPG’s political wing, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), recalling the arrests of Kurds in Afrin after its capture by rebels in 2018.
Amid heightened tensions, sources revealed to Al Arabiya that the Autonomous Administration is preparing for the potential influx of hundreds of thousands of individuals from Tel Rifaat, the Shahba region, and Aleppo’s (Heleb) Sheikh Maqsoud and al-Ashrafiyah districts. In anticipation, efforts are focused on establishing temporary camps and shelters in areas east of the Euphrates River and Qamishli (Qamishlo) to accommodate the expected wave of displaced populations.
