Attachments
Situation Overview
Since 04 December, Northeast Syria (NES) has continued to receive individuals displaced by the conflict in Tel Rifaat and Aleppo. Verifying the exact number of displaced persons remains a challenge. General estimates from authorities are that approximately 100,000 individuals have been displaced to date. Verification of these figures remains a challenge, as many are being moved directly into homes and public sites identified by authorities within communities, prior to registration. A further 15,000 individuals are anticipated to be arriving in another convoy from Tel Refaat, although immediate visibility on this population was limited due to movement restrictions on 08 December. Partners on the ground have been reporting overwhelming numbers in Tabqa and Raqqa, where the reception sites have reached full capacity. As of 08 December, approximately 186 schools were being used as collective centres to accommodate people across all NES areas, with reception centres located in Raqqa, Tabqa, Hassakeh and Qamishli.
Continued fighting over the period 05-08 December saw clashes and rapid shifts in territorial control including along the Euphrates in Deir Ez-Zor, and in Menbij. Since the fall of the Government in Damascus on the morning of 08 December, access and delivery of service has faced challenges in parts of NES notably including Raqqa and Tabqa, and in Mahmoudli Camp. While a NES-wide curfew has been imposed from 8pm to 8am, local authorities have assured NGO exemptions from this curfew except in Deir Ez-Zor. However, adherence to these exemptions at check-points has been inconsistent for partners across NES, with continued sporadic roadblocks and/or temporary access challenges being reported by NGOs travelling in Raqqa, Tabqa and Qamishli.
The NES NGO Forum has been engaging consistently with local authorities and with relevant civilmilitary interlocutors to negotiate continued safe, informed access for NGOs to move freely during this period, as well as to receive timely and relevant information on developing events and dynamics.