YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue their Operation Wrath of Euphrates at full force. SDF fighters are transferring the civilians in ISIS-occupied areas to safe zones under their control.

Speaking to ANF, Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) Co-chair Ilham Ehmed called for urgent assistance for the displaced civilians freed from ISIS, and strongly criticized the silence of the international community on the issue.

Ehmed stated that there are large number of IDPs resulting from the Raqqa operation, around 30.000 IDPs are currently settled in a camp in the town of Kerama, also about 30.000 in a camp in Ayn Issa town. She noted that during the past three days more than 10.000 civilians have been displaced from the town of Tabqa [southwest Raqqa] and nearby villages, the more the operation intensifies near the city the more IDP numbers are increasing.

Ehmed stressed that: “As the Raqqa operation was nearing, we had earlier discussed this issue with many sides, specifically with the U.S. in order to build up camps and host IDPs, we expected tens of thousands of civilians who would be escaping Raqqa. Though there were discussions and planning, to the moment there have been no practical actions.”

Remarking that there are about 130 humanitarian and civil organizations within the region secured by the Syrian Democratic Forces, Ehmed said: “Each of these organizations are in a way related to a foreign country, receiving funds from them. But these organizations too have not contributed to the Raqqa operation.”

Ehmed pointed out that this causes a tragic humanitarian situation, adding: “The international community is always concerned about civilians killed in conflict; here IDPs after liberation are left in deserts with no food, water or medicine, they are also facing death. For the lack of resources, a tent was burnt in a fire which broke out in Ayn Issa’s IDP camp, a women and two children lost their lives. Drinking water is hard to find, the health situation in these camps is critical. There are not enough tents or blankets for the IDPs.”

Ehmed underlined that the Coalition is militarily participating in the Raqqa campaign, but there is no humanitarian support for the civilians fleeing from ISIS. She said: “If we are liberating these people from ISIS why don’t they support them by finding temporary camps, why don’t they provide them with tents until we liberate their city? This is apart from the group of people whose houses are destroyed as result of war. These IDPs are left in desert for a long time as they have been losing their homes. If there is no food, if there are no camps, what do these people do until they have their houses rebuilt? Why are we even liberating them from ISIS?

MSD Co-chair strongly criticized the silence of the international community, the Coalition and the U.S., and once again called for immediate assistance; at least to buy blankets, to prepare a situation where IDPs could protect themselves while the weather is still cold in the area, and to prevent a case in which some of the civilians might prefer to return to the hands of ISIS or another terrorist group.

“It is critical to support these people, to prevent any sort of dissatisfaction, they are liberated from terror with great joy. But if the situation carries on like this, these people, at least some, might go back to the other side, to seek hostilities, they may join terror groups and carry out suicide attacks somewhere around the world.”

MSD Co-chair underlined that: “This is an immediate call, the Raqqa Civilian Council had also called out yesterday, we urge everyone to seriously review these calls and immediately offer their support – this is our call.”