The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Al-Hasakeh | Several people injured in shooting at pro-regime vigil in “security square” area

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has monitored supporters of the Syrian regime, holding a new vigil in the area of the Justice Palace in the city of al-Hasakeh, condemning the siege of the Internal Security Forces “Al-Asaish” on the “security square” area in the city of al-Hasaka and regime-held areas in al-Qamishli city.

Meanwhile, four people were injured, one of them seriously, as a result of shooting in the area of the protests. It is not known whether the injured were civilians of the protesters or security agents, amid accusations of “Asayish” checkpoints shooting at protsters.

SOHR sources said that discussions are still underway between the SDF and the Russian side regarding the siege imposed by “Asayish” on the Syrian regime-held areas in the cities of al-Hasakeh and al-Qamishli since 21 days ago in order to exert pressure on the regime, which is besieging towns and villages in the area of Al-Shehba in northern Aleppo countryside and Fafin and Al-Musilmiya on the outskirts of Aleppo and al-Sheikh Maqsood and al-Ashrafieh in the city.

Meanwhile, the talks have not yielded any tengible results so far, amid reports suggested that Russia will deliver humanitarian aid to the areas of Al-Shehba, after which the talks will be pursued.

Regime forces are besieging the neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh in Aleppo, Al-Musilmiya, Ihriz, Fafin and the towns and villages of al-Shehba area in northern Aleppo countryside, where medical, food and fuel supplies have been prevented from entering and exiting for many months.

Moreover, the 4th Division checkpoint in Al-Musilmiya area imposes large levies on residents of areas wishing to enter and leave to Aleppo from its northern countryside, particularly the residents of Afrin, in addition to imposing huge amounts of money on goods, food and medical supplies.

In light of the regime’s continued siege of these areas, the Internal Security Forces “Asayish” besieged the areas held by the Syrian regime in the cities of al-Qamishli and al-Hasaka to exert pressure on the authorities in order to lift the siege on these areas.

The “Asayish” allows citizens to enter and leave al-Qamishli to and from regime-held areas and to get their daily needs, while prevent these needs from entering regime-held areas, as in the case in the city of al-Hasakeh. However, “al-Asaish” prevented civilians from entering and leaving a few days ago during a demonstration held by supporters of the Syrian regime in the city.

Yesterday, SOHR sources said that the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) continued the siege they have imposed on regime-held areas in Al-Hasakah and Al-Qamishli cities for 20 consecutive days. However, the situation in each city is different, as in Al-Hasakah city regime forces are in control of a relatively small area, the security zone and other parts of the city. Meanwhile, Asayish Forces impose a full siege on regime-held areas in Al-Hasakah city, even on civilians living there, preventing anyone from getting in and out of these areas and banning the entry of goods and supplies.

In Al-Qamishli city, however, regime forces control larger spaces than in Al-Hasakah city, and their troops are positioned in Halku and Al-Tayy neighbourhoods, the airport, the National Hospital, an area behind the railway network, the security zone and other areas. However, not all of these areas are fully controlled by regime forces, since regime forces and Asayish Forces share control of Halku and Al-Tayy neighbourhoods, the road to the airport and other areas.

It is worth noting that Asayish Forces in Al-Qamishli city impose a siege only on regime-affiliated authorities and services, while civilians can travel comfortably in the city and get everything they need, but in limited quantities, so that supplies will no be smuggled to the “besieged” regime.