Fleeing dreadful living conditions in SDF-held areas | Nearly 200 civilians sneak into Turkish territory in 24 hours

All areas controlled by Syria Democratic Forces in north-east Syria have witnessed escalating mass exodus, as reliable sources have informed SOHR that nearly 200 people have crossed the Syria-Turkey border from Al-Darbasiyah in Al-Hasakah countryside in the past 24 hours with the aim of working in Turkey or sneak into any country of the European Union.

 

This comes in the wake of the deteriorating living conditions due to the high prices of all products, mainly foodstuffs and fuel, in SDF-held areas, as well as the civilians’ poor incomes. Accordingly, civilians attempt to find a way out of the region to search for work in other countries, even if they ask for help of smugglers in return for money.

 

A civilian from Al-Helaliya neighbourhood in Al-Qamishli city told SOHR that he decided to immigrate to Turkey, and said that he had no options but to sneak into Turkish territory, as he had not have enough money for a visa and ticket.

 

It is worth noting that people arrested by the Turkish Border Guards (Jandarma), while attempting to reach Turkish territory are subjected to brutal torture and some are deliberately shot dead, let alone the dangerous trip.

 

On March 16, a young man known by his initials as Y. A. K. from Al-Hasakah died, while he was attempting to sneak into Turkey, due to the harsh weather and freezing temperature.

 

It is worth noting that SDF arrested four members of SDF Border Guards for “facilitating the way of people from SDF-held areas to Turkish territory and transporting them in SDF vehicles from Al-Hasakah city and countryside to Al-Darbasiyah on the Syria-Turkey border.”