Hêlîn Asmîn

 

ŞEHBA - Women from Efrîn living in Serdem Camp in Şehba Region in Northern and Eastern Syria said that they resisted to return to their lands despite the difficult conditions they experienced and the embargo imposed by the Syrian regime.

 

After Turkey’s attacks on Efrîn in 2018, tens of thousands of Efrîn residents had to migrate from their lands. Citizens who settled in Serdem Camp in Sosin village in Şehba Region from Efrîn continue their lives here. The Syrian regime also imposes an embargo against the Efrîn people, who are struggling to survive under difficult conditions in the camp. Women living under difficult conditions and embargo in the camp spoke to our agency about the difficult conditions they experienced.

 

‘We are resisting the conditions and embargo’

 

Nilfet Mihemed, from the Celemê village of Cindirêsê, said the following about the conditions in the camp and the embargo of the Syrian regime: ‘’We migrated from Efrîn and came to Şehba. We face great challenges in the camp. Our tents are nylon. Hot in summer and cold in winter. The Syrian regime also imposes an embargo on Şehba. The embargo must be lifted. The Syrian regime does not allow anything, and the things we need daily are very expensive. It is winter ahead and we need diesel fuel. We know how difficult it is because we are staying in tents. Here we are resisting the difficulties and embargo in the camp. However, we will resist all difficulties and return to our Efrîn.’’

 

Call to human rights organizations

 

Fatma Bekir Xulo, one of the women in the camp, also drew attention to Turkey’s attacks and said that they were not afraid of Turkey’s attacks. Fatma said: ‘’We have been here for four years. We women suffer the most in the war. But we are not afraid of Erdoğan’s daily attacks on us. We will resist until the end with the thought and philosophy of our leadership. I call on all women’s institutions and human rights organizations to defend our rights. I want them to see the conditions we live in.’’

 

‘Our hope is to return to Efrîn’

 

Mewlîde Efrîn also said that their hope is to return to Efrîn. Mewlîde stated: ‘’We moved out from our Efrîn and came to Şehba. We have been here for four years and the seasons are very tough. Because it is very hot in summer and very cold in winter. Children are getting sick. Treatment conditions are very limited. However, despite all the difficulties, our hope is to return to Efrîn. We will never lose this hope.’’