MSF: Thousands could die in Syria if Rojava – Kurdistan border close

Thousands of people could die should the border between Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) and Iraqi Kurdistan, namely the Fayish Khabur crossing, become inaccessible to humanitarian groups, Doctors Without Borders warned on Saturday.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Thousands of people could die should the border between Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) and Iraqi Kurdistan, namely the Fayish Khabur crossing, become inaccessible to humanitarian groups, Doctors Without Borders warned on Saturday.

Ties between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq have considerably deteriorated following the Sep. 25 referendum on independence for the Kurdistan Region.

Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi (PMF) militia along with Iraqi Forces have since then launched military assaults over the past two weeks on the region with the aim to control areas northwest of Mosul and advance on the Turkish border. 

The international border crossing with Turkey, however, is part of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. It's also adjacent to the Rojava border, where the Iraqi forces are attempting to control the Faysh Khabur gate into Syria.

“MSF is extremely concerned about the ongoing delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in northeast Syria due to clashes between Kurdish and Iraqi forces in the northwest of Iraq that threaten to close of the Syrian-Iraqi border crossing of Faysh Khabur,” the statement of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reads.

“Faysh Khabur border crossing is the only option for humanitarian agencies to bring supplies and specialists into northeast Syria,” the organization warned.

It mentioned that it was already challenging to provide humanitarian assistance in northeast Syria as many parts of cities have been destroyed in skirmishes and airstrikes in the fight against the Islamic State (IS). About half a million people have been displaced and currently live in poor conditions.

“If the border between Syria and Iraq closes for humanitarian aid, the millions of already vulnerable people will no longer have access to critical medical care in Menbij, Tal Abyad, Tabqa, Kobanê/Ain Al Arab, Hassaka and Raqqa. A closure of the Faysh Khabur border crossing for all humanitarian aid could affect millions of lives,” the statement added.

MSF called on parties to ensure ongoing access to the gate, without any obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid across the border.

On Saturday, Peshmerga commanders, PMF, and Iraqi forces gathered to discuss a ceasefire in the area, but the result of the meeting remains unclear as both sides have yet to agree on certain points.

 

Editing by G.H. Renaud