Humanitarian access and challenges in northeast syria

Introduction

Following Operation Peace Spring, the Turkish-led incursion into northeast Syria in October 2019 through which Turkey gained significant pockets of land in the region, the Kurdish self-administration (KSA) responded by allowing Government of Syria (GoS) and Russian forces to enter select areas under Kurdish control. The KSA hoped to prevent further advances by the Turkish government and Turkish-backed forces, using the GoS and Russian government forces as further protection against loss of territory. The areas of northeast Syria in which GoS forces have established a presence include nearly all KSA territory northwest of Al-Sheddadi (south of which US forces maintain a continued presence). To evaluate the impact of these shifts, Mercy Corps’ Humanitarian Access Team interviewed respondents from local non-governmental organizations and community governance bodies across these KSA-controlled areas with a new presence of GoS forces. Respondents were asked about general operating conditions of humanitarian actors in these areas, as well as the general movement of goods and people within and across different armed groups’ areas of control.

Results of these interviews show the introduction of GoS forces has significantly changed conditions for humanitarian responders already facing challenges. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from conflict-ridden areas of the northeast (as well as other areas of Syria) have continued to seek shelter in KSA-controlled areas where there is a GoS presence, placing additional burden on humanitarian actors. Respondents also noted difficulties in the delivery of health-related equipment. In meeting these challenges, implementers have had to contend with a new landscape of checkpoints and road closures brought about by the introduction of new armed actors. Checkpoints with GoS forces have posed a particular problem for humanitarian implementers, with staff members of military age limiting their movements because of a fear of conscription. Other implementers noted altered supply lines and additional taxes extracted at these new checkpoints, necessitating the use of middlemen in order to quickly transport goods. In structuring operations in these areas, implementers must consider the ramifications of these shifted supply lines and additional restrictions.