RONÎDA HACÎ

Hasakah-Since the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions occupied Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ayn), a city in northeastern Syria, thousands of people were forcibly displaced and some live in the Washokani camp, an informal internally displaced person (IDP) camp in Hasakah. The displaced women of Serêkaniyê want to return to their hometown.

 ‘We want to return to our hometown’

The Turkish state violated international law by occupying our city, said Şemsa Elî, one of displaced women living in the camp. “We have been resisting in the Washokani camp for five years. Women are the ones who suffer the most and who struggle the most. We had houses and agricultural lands in Serêkaniyê. We made great efforts there. The occupation of our city destroyed all of our efforts. The Turkish state underestimates people and their dignity,” said Şemsa Elî, criticizing the silence of the international community against Turkish occupation. “On the occasion of the International Workers’ Day, I would like to say that we want to return to our hometown.”

‘We will keep resisting’

“Our presence in the camp is important for returning to our hometown,” said Cemîla Mihemed, another displaced woman living in the camp. No one should talk about human rights or the International Workers’ Day because everyone remained silent while we were displaced from our hometown. No humanitarian organizations have provided support to us until now. Only the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has provided support to us. It keeps providing support to us despite all the attacks on North and East Syria.”

Cemîla Mihemed told us that their living conditions in the camp deteriorated in summer. “We expect nothing from anyone. We resist and will resist until we return to our hometown.”