45,000 people remain displaced in Hasakah: UN

"Up to 45,000 people remained displaced across Al-Hasakeh city and neighboring areas. ​"
At least 45,000 civilians were reportedly displaced in Hasakah city during the four days of fighting (Photo: Mohammed Hassan / Twitter)
At least 45,000 civilians were reportedly displaced in Hasakah city during the four days of fighting (Photo: Mohammed Hassan / Twitter)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Up to 45,000 people remain displaced across the northeastern Syrian city of Al-Hasakah and neighboring areas following fierce fighting there, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Thursday ​​

"Hostilities have subsided in the southern neighbourhoods of Al-Hasakah city," the report said. 

"As of 26 January, an estimated 5,000 people were stranded in the area of hostilities in Ghweiran (Ghwayran) and Al Zouhour neighbourhoods and up to 45,000 people remained displaced across Al-Hasakeh city and neighbouring areas,​" it added. 

ISIS launched an attack Hasakah's al-Sina'a, which holds an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 suspected terrorists, with an explosive-laden car on Jan. 20. 

Moreover, they used 700 children as human shields, many of whom were previously used by the militants as child soldiers.

The SDF announced on Wednesday that it had retaken full control of the prison. However, they later uncovered an estimated 60-90 terrorists in the prison's northern dormitories.

Read More: SDF uncovers 60-90 terrorists in Hasakah's al-Sina'a prison

The report said that humanitarian support is limited due to a lockdown imposed on Hasakah by the Internal Committee of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) on Jan. 24.

"Humanitarian access is curtailed at displacement camps in and around AlHasakeh, including Al Hol camp, which hosts over 57,000 people," the UN OCHA report said. 

"Only water, bread and fuel deliveries are permitted into camps and no trucks are allowed beyond the entrance by the de facto authorities. Humanitarian movement is also largely prohibited till 31 January in other parts of Al-Hasakeh governorate," it added.

The report also said that humanitarian actors are discussing with the AANES "to access the needs of displaced and affected families and ensure safe exit for residents from Ghweiran and Al Zouhour (neighbourhoods in Hasakah)." 

"Additionally, humanitarian partners are advocating for humanitarian assistance to be exempted from the lockdown, including releasing the 34 trucks stranded at the junction in Al Tabqa, and ensuring access to IDP camps."

Last Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Relations of the AANES accused the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of politicizing humanitarian support by limiting aid to parties associated with the Syrian government.

Read More: ICRC limits aid to Syrian government: AANES

"The ICRC forgets that the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and its bodies and entities have been on alert for the past five days to provide support and assistance to the residents of Al-Ghwairan neighbourhood and Al-Zohour neighbourhood adjacent to Al-Sina'a Prison, despite their limited capabilities," it added.