On the morning of December 8, 2024, we at CADUS rubbed our eyes in amazement: Assad is gone, the regime in Syria toppled after 54 years of brutal dictatorship. Those who survived the systematic torture can leave the prisons. People in Syria and in the diaspora are celebrating the liberation. Not entirely carefree, as it is not yet clear how the new rulers will behave in the long term. But there is great hope for a new, freer life in Syria.

Renewed attacks in north-east Syria

CADUS was involved in humanitarian work in North-East Syria (NES) for nine years until we handed over our projects in 2023. During our work on the ground, the threat posed by the regime was always present, even here, where the Kurds have established an autonomous administration. Does the fall of Assad mean that the situation in NES is now easing?

Our local partner organizations, the Kurdish Red Crescent (KRC) and ŞÎLÊR – Crisis Response (SCR), tell us that joy and concern are currently very close together. In addition to the joy at the end of Assad’s rule, there is also concern about Turkey, which has been trying to gain control of parts of NES for years and has repeatedly carried out attacks there. Sometimes by firing drones, sometimes with the help of Syrian militias. And the latter have not hesitated to strike again in the changed situation.

The KRC clinic in Manbij was destroyed by looting in the aftermath of the SNA attacks. Photo: KRC

In Manbij, for example, the Syrian National Army (SNA), which is partly Islamist and actively supported by Turkey, attacked the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on December 7, forcing them to withdraw from the city. This was followed by widespread looting, which also affected several medical facilities. Four ambulances were stolen from the hospital in Manbij.

On December 12, there was a drone attack on a KRC ambulance on its way to Kobani. The driver was killed and the patient and accompanying paramedics were seriously injured.

Growing threat from Turkey and IS

The current fighting in NES has resulted in the flight of hundreds of thousands of people, some of whom have already been displaced several times. In the midst of the bitterly cold Syrian winter , another humanitarian crisis is looming. At the same time, fears are growing daily of a widespread takeover by extremist forces, including the loss of the secular and pluralistic autonomous administration.

People are fleeing the fighting around Manbij in the direction of Rakka, which is now also under acute threat of attack. Photo: KRC

The KRC’s NES coordinator warns that Kobani and Rakka are also under acute threat of attacks by Turkish-backed militias. These are precisely the places to which people from the region of embattled Manbij have just fled. The coordinator is worried:

“At some point, the question arises of where to put all these people. Especially Kurds, because they are extremely vulnerable right now. But also other minorities: Christians, Yazidis, Allevites… all minorities, and women in particular, are currently under massive threat. Many of them are in the Kurdish areas, in north-eastern Syria, because they are safe here. But if things go on like this, there will no longer be a safe place for them. Also because the HTS is not yet trusted. It will take time, they first have to prove that religious, cultural and ethical minorities, as well as women, are not at risk.”

As a result of the attacks on Kurdish territory, further camps of internally displaced people (IDPs) are created. Photo: KRC

Adrian Knöpfel from SCR, the organization that has taken over the operation of the field hospital in Camp Al Hol from CADUS, tells us about the situation on the ground:

“The current situation in northern and eastern Syria remains extremely precarious after the fall of Assad. The region is facing a dramatic increase in internally displaced people, for whom there are still inadequate supplies. In addition, ongoing attacks by Turkish-backed militias are significantly exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. In the midst of these challenges, we continued our work in the Al-Hol camp. Here, the fear of attacks by ISIS, for whom the camp is a declared primary target, is ever-present. We are determined to continue our support to address the most urgent needs of the population.”

Al-Hol is one of the main targets for the so-called Islamic State (IS), as it is not only one of the largest refugee and displaced persons settlements in the region, but is also home to a large number of people who are potentially vulnerable to radicalization or already had links to IS. The overcrowded and often inadequately secured conditions in the camp provide IS with an opportunity to spread its ideology and recruit followers. In addition, IS views attacks on Al-Hol as symbolic actions to demonstrate its continued presence and influence in the region, even after territorial losses. This makes Al-Hol a particularly vulnerable and strategically important target for IS.

International political responsibility is required

The NES NGO Forum, an association of humanitarian organizations working in north-east Syria, is urging compliance with international human rights law (IHRL) and international humanitarian law (IHL), which stipulates the protection of civilians and humanitarian aid workers. According to the forum, the current attacks are severely hampering both aid and the regular operation of civilian infrastructure.

Volunteers from the Kurdish Red Crescent are setting up emergency shelters and supply tents for IDPs. Photo: KRC

The KRC also has a clear demand: urgent intervention is now needed at international level. The attacks, for which Turkey is also responsible, must be stopped immediately to prevent a further humanitarian catastrophe and human rights violations in Syria.

Humanitarian emergency aid must be protected and at the same time political pressure on the opponents of freedom and democracy must be decisively increased. We must not lose sight of the situation in north-east Syria over the joy of Assad’s fall; strong international solidarity is needed. Despite the difficult situation, we hope with and for the people of Syria for peace, justice and secure access to all the necessities of life.