The Italian NGO Un Ponte Per (UPP) strongly denounced what it is witnessing in these hours in the North East of Syria: the launch of the Turkish operation "Peace Spring" has hit the main border cities causing civilian casualties and numerous injuries, including women and children.

The international staff of UPP, from the field, said: "The situation is very serious, the population is obviously scared due to the bombing."

UPP added: "There are approximately 450,000 people living in centers near the Turkish-Syrian border. The impact on the population of these new attacks is enormous and civilians began to flee. If the offensive is not stopped immediately, we will find ourselves observing a new humanitarian crisis of imponderable dimensions."

UPP is engaged in North East Syria alongside the Kurdish Red Crescent (KRC) since 2015, for the reconstruction of the national health system, already heavily affected by previous conflicts.

UPP and KRC ambulances are currently active in Derek, Kobane, Qamishlo, Amuda, Derbasye, Tell Tamer, Serekaniye and Tel Abiat. 

The KRC local staff remains operational. Dr. Sherwan Bery, co-director of the KRC, states: "Due to the situation at the border we were forced to reposition our medical team and ambulances, leaving the main refugee camps uncovered. This situation will cause a rapid decline in health services in the camps, which currently host tens of thousands of refugees and displaced persons. But the situation requires intervening on the front line."

Luca Magno, Syria's Operational Desk of UPP, said: "The situation is falling towards a humanitarian disaster. For international organizations there are no security conditions to operate, and resources are lacking locally. In these years we have helped to rebuild the local health system: today all this work risks being destroyed."