Syria

06 September 2023

By 6 September 2023, ten days of clashes between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Arab-led Military Council militia had resulted in at least 54 unconfirmed deaths. The fighting erupted in the countryside of Deir-ez-Zor city in northeastern Syria. Displacement has been observed, mainly to Al-Mayadeen west of Euphrates River, but there is not enough information on the numbers or scale. Curfews, blockages in the main roads of many towns, and road damage have resulted in shortages of essential commodities, such as bread and flour. Clashes have also damaged critical public infrastructure, such as hospitals and water treatment facilities. Some of the immediate needs include shelter, drinking water, and food. Deir-ez-Zor and northeastern Syria in general already face a humanitarian crisis, with 12 years of conflict displacing almost 700,000 people in northeastern Syria alone. These people are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid. (Enab Baladi 05/09/2023,
OCHA 04/09/2023, MSF accessed 06/09/2023)

18 July 2023

As at 19 July 2023, the UNSC Resolution 2672 (2023), which expired on 10 July, has still not been renewed. The resolution allowed the delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance to northwest Syria through Bab Al Hawa crossing, on the Syria-Türkiye border.
Following the February earthquakes, the Syrian government allowed the use of two other crossings on the Syria-Türkiye border to deliver aid and assistance to the affected population in northwestern Syria. The permission comes to an end on 13 August.
The 12 years of conflict and the earthquakes in February 2023 resulted in significant humanitarian needs for the population in northwestern Syria. Priority needs are shelter, food, and health assistance.
Failing to renew the cross-border resolution on the use of Bab Al Hawa border-crossing jeopardizes the main UN-coordinated aid delivery mechanism to northwestern Syria. The cross-border humanitarian operation provides aid for around four million people in the region, including around three million IDPs, of which around 1.9 million live in 1,420 camps and informal sites.
(ACAPS 16/06/2023, AP News 15/07/2023, Aljazeera 13/05/2023)

23 May 2023

As at 24 May 2023, the Semalka border crossing connecting Northeast Syria with Iraq had been closed for four days following disputes between the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the Kurdish-controlled Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. Around three million people live in Northeast Syria, including over 655,000 IDPs. The Semalka border is a vital crossing for the movement of people and goods between the two regions, and it is the only one that is not controlled by either the Syrian or Turkish Governments in Northeast Syria. Around two million people in Northeast Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance. The crossing has been used by humanitarian organisations, and its closure will have an impact on humanitarian operations, including the transport of supplies and staff. Before the Iraqi authorities closed the border on 20 May, over 300 international staff were evacuated.

(Al-Monitor 21/05/2023, ECHO 23/05/2023, WHO 27/01/2022)