High spirits | Daily activity returns gradually in N and E Syria, despite ongoing Turkish military escalation and threats of invasion
Despite the escalating attacks by Turkish forces in areas in north and east Syria, the residents in these areas are attempting to practice their daily routine. Students keep going in their education at schools, while civilians go to their work and visit their families, facing the Turkish threats with high spirits and expressing their rejection to turn the area into a battlefield.
On the other hand, prices of basic products and food has been considerably risen. However, many residents are attempting to adapt with the current situation and secure their families’ essentials.
According to SOHR sources, the number of restaurants and coffee shops has increased in Al-Hasakah city, while the residents of the city, especially young people, are attempting to enjoy the matches of the World Cup; this confirms their rejection of abandoning their homes and city and reflects their intention to resist the potential Turkish invasion.
Speaking to SOHR, a young woman known by her initials as L. K. from Al-Nasiriyah neighbourhood in Al-Hasakah city says, “the daily routine in the city continues, despite the Turkish attacks on different areas, including the sporadic attacks of border areas. The city’s markets experienced low activity in the first days of the Turkish invasion, before routine started to return gradually. Immigration from the area is not a good choice, despite the Turkish threats. There are concerns about a potential attack, and residents fear of revival of ISIS cells in the case that Turkey starts a new attack. All these concerns started to be vanished and coffee shops and restaurants are receiving a large number of civilians in light of the current event of the World Cup, where young people go to coffee shops to watch football matches. Recently, the daily activity in Al-Hasakah is normal.”
Another young man known as M. A. has told SOHR, “despite the ongoing threats and attacks which have negatively impacted the living conditions in the region, residents continue their the daily routine with high spirits. After years of the protracted war, Syrians in general could adapt with such situations, and they insist on continue their life and confront all threats.”
Since November 19, Turkey has escalated their military operations in north and east Syria, targeting different positions in Al-Hasakah, Al-Raqqah and Aleppo, while the violent attacks coincided with renewed threats of starting a new incursion into north-east Syria region.