SORGUL ŞÊXO

Hasakah- The village of Um El-Kêf, located in the west of Tell Tamer town in the Hasakah Canton of NE Syria, has been shelled by Turkey since the occupation of Serêkaniyê. Even though the villagers live under the threat of Turkey, they don’t want to leave their village. 33-year-old Wedha Eli, who has three children and is eight months pregnant, is one of the villagers. She spoke to NuJINHA about the challenges they have been facing.

“The villagers struggle to survive”

Speaking about the current situation in the village, Wedha Eli said that many villagers left the village because of the ongoing attacks. “The villagers were forced to leave the village to find a safer village or area. The villagers, who don’t want to leave the village, struggle to survive. They have been resisting the invaders. Most houses have been destroyed due to the bombardment. Dozens of women have been injured and many civilians have been killed in the bombardment.”

“We have many memories in the village”

Stating that she has many memories in the village, Wedha Eli said, “Due to the ongoing bombardment, my house was destroyed. But I don’t leave my village. For two years we have been struggling against hunger, thirst, hardship, and death. We spent many happy and sad days in this house. I have many memories. After my house was destroyed, I began to live in the house of my sister.”

“The war affects my children”

Pointing out that the ongoing war has psychological effects on her children, Wedha Eli said, “The war affects us badly. For 24 hours we think about what will happen, who will die, and who will survive. Two and a half years have passed since the attacks on our village started, and our situation is getting worse. Every day, we live in the fear of being killed. The war affects my children. When they hear the sounds of falling bombs, they gather around me and cry.”

“I don’t want to give birth in the middle of the war”

Stating that the attacks and bombardments have a bad effect on her pregnancy, Wedha Eli continued to talk as follows: “I am eight months pregnant now. Like my children, I get scared when bombs start falling on the village. And this also affects my baby. We have been facing a very bad situation. In the 8th month, pregnant women should always be in peace and comfort because this month is very important for babies. I don’t want to give birth in the middle of the war. I want my baby to have a peaceful life, to not live what we are going through now.”

“The war should end now”

Underlining that all she wants is the immediate end of the war, Wedha Eli said, “Children shouldn’t experience the pains of war.”