After Turkey occupied Afrin (Efrin) in 2018, many people migrated to Shahba (Şehba) — but now they are facing assaults and blockades by Turkish-backed mercenaries and the Damascus regime.
Around 250,000 people from Afrin are living in camps or in damaged houses in Shahba. Many are having difficulties accessing daily needs such as food, medicine, fuel and gas due to the blockade implemented by the Syrian regime on Shahba.
In addition, dermatological diseases have begun to emerge in the region due to problems stemming from the blockade.
Heyva Sor a Kurd (Kurdish Red Crescent) previously stated in 2019 that 3,092 people fell ill due to dermatological diseases. That number decreased by 1,191 thanks to efforts of local residents.
However, an epidemic of illness has appeared again. Heyva Sor a Kurd Afrin Office Executive Elye Mihemed announced that 1,791 people became ill in the last three months.
There are seven medical centres established by Heyva Sor a Kurd in Shahba.
Mihemed said they have limited opportunities for ensuring treatment for patients in those centres.
Stating that there was a shortage of medicine in the region, Mihemed said international organisations remained silent on the issue and the Damascus government did not allow patients even to be treated.
Meanwhile, assaults by Turkish-backed mercenaries also continue in the region. One of those mercenaries, Cephet El Şamiye, kidnapped two persons, Mahir Halit Uso and Mustafa Abbas Al Ahmad, in the village of Ziyara in Şerewa.