After the occupation of Afrin by the Turkish state and its gangs in 2018, more than 200 thousand people were forced to migrate to Shehba. The refugees in Shehba had to defend themselves from both the gangs and the Damascus government forces. After the occupation of Aleppo and Idlib on 27 November, the Turkish state and its gangs completely surrounded Shehba from four sides this time. As a result, attacks on Tall Refaat and the Shehba region were intensified on 2 December and the region was occupied. The people of Afrin were forced to migrate for the second time.

The refugees who arrived in Raqqa from Shehba spoke to ANF, saying that they hadn’t lost hope and added that they would never surrender.

All kinds of weapons were used against the people

Mistefa Mihemed from Afrin said: "After the Turkish state occupied Afrin in 2018, we had to migrate to Shehba. We struggled for a long time until we settled down in Shehba and finally recreated our living conditions. The Turkish state’s attacks on Shehba continued. We experienced a second migration due to the recent attacks by the Turkish state and the gangs under its control. They used all kinds of weapons against us. Civilians were massacred right before our eyes. We were on the road for two days. We had a hard time until we reached Raqqa."

The Turkish state has nothing to do with Islam

Mistefa Mihemed drew attention to the fact that they were well received by the Autonomous Administration in Raqqa, and added: "The Autonomous Administration stands up for the people of Afrin. The Autonomous Administration has mobilized all its resources to meet the needs of the people. The Turkish state and its gangs have nothing to do with Islam. They are anti-Islam and just oppress people. We have not occupied anyone’s land, we have not oppressed anyone, we have not violated anyone’s rights. We are a people who live with honor and pride. The Kurdish people have been oppressed for centuries. The Kurdish people have only one demand: to have their identity and language. Instead of speaking in accordance with their own interests, international powers should come and see the state of the people. They should stop siding with the Turkish state and see this oppression."

People have been targeted

İbrahîm Kose said: "We are experiencing migration for the second time. We have suffered great pain and difficulties. We have been in Shehba since 2018. During this time, the attacks by the Turkish state did not stop. We have continued to live under bombardment for over 6 years. We had started to hold on to life again in Shehba, but there was another attack. The people were heavily targeted. Many children were injured due to the attacks. Some of our elderly people had heart attacks and lost their lives. Last night, one of our elderly people in the convoy lost his life."

Afrin won’t be left to the Turkish state

Mihemed Henan said: "The occupying Turkish state massacred thousands of our people in Afrin. They occupied our land, plundered our homes, uprooted and burned our olive trees. They left no trace of the heavenly city that was Afrin. We have lived in Shehba for 6 years with the hope of returning to Afrin; we have not lost hope. Afrin will not be left to the Turkish state. Of course, one day we will return to Afrin. Even if we do not return, one day our children will return to Afrin. Occupying Afrin was not enough, they also occupied Shehba. Our self-defense forces brought us to safe areas for the safety of the people."

Mihemed Henan continued: "As if the oppression of Afrin was not enough, we were also forced to migrate from Shehba. Afrin and Shehba are the lands of the Kurdish people and will remain the lands of the Kurdish people. There is no place for the Turkish state and gangs here. A 3-month-old baby lost his life from cold on the way from Shehba to Raqqa. Erdoğan is a murderer, the blood of innocent people is on his hands. We have not lost hope. We will return to Afrin."