Efforts to organize 2 weekly convoys to return Serêkaniyê's IDPs

The third convoy of displaced residents of Serêkaniyê, who have been living in shelters and Washokani Camp, set out today toward the city’s southern countryside. The convoy includes 511 families, while more than 14,000 displaced people are waiting to return to their homes and areas, including the city center.

Speaking to ANHA agency, Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Khalil, known as “Siamand Afrin,” deputy commander-in-chief of the Internal Security Forces in Hasakah province, said, “The delay in returning the displaced to Serêkaniyê was a security issue caused by the widespread presence of landmines. These are real obstacles facing us and require a long time to clear. Had it not been for the landmines, the return convoys would likely have already been completed.”

He added, “We are now working to return the displaced people in succession, and two convoys will head to the area every week. The third convoy headed to the city’s countryside today, and we are working to send another convoy next Thursday so that we can return all the displaced by the end of this year.”

Regarding the return of displaced residents to the city center, Mahmoud Khalil said, “There are still residents from Ghweiran and other areas living in Serêkaniyê. We do not want returning residents to experience what those in the first convoy went through. We are now working to remove those living in the homes of displaced people in Serêkaniyê and return them to their own homes, in order to ensure a safe return for the displaced residents of Serêkaniyê.”

Khalil also said, “The government is currently coordinating with Turkey regarding its military bases in the area. They will not target the returning residents, and the Internal Security Forces will ensure the displaced people reach their villages and homes.”

Meanwhile, Mustafa Abdi, a member of the People’s Assembly representing Hasakah province and a member of the presidential team, said, “The third convoy set out today with more than 500 families, and arrangements have been made to ensure their return.”

He added, “We will return those living in the homes of displaced people in Serêkaniyê to their areas to facilitate the return of the displaced to the city center. We will continue returning displaced people through successive convoys.”

He concluded, “We are doing everything in our power to return all the displaced people to their areas.”

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ANHA