Attachments
Situation Overview
Since the events of 08 December, the security and humanitarian situation in Northeast Syria (NES) has remained volatile, with continued clashes and shifts in territorial control in Manbij and in Deir Ez-Zor.
Throughout this period NES has continued to receive individuals displaced by the conflict in Tel Rifaat and Aleppo. General estimates from authorities remain at an approximate 100,000 individuals displaced to date, with further 15,000 individuals anticipated to be arriving in another convoy from Tel Refaat.
The 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. Partners on the ground are reporting overwhelming numbers in Tabqa and Raqqa, where the reception sites have reached full capacity. As of 10 December, 220 sites including municipal buildings, schools, mosques, stadiums and residential buildings are being used as reception sites and collective centres to accommodate people across all NES areas.
Following the clashes in Manbij and the advancement of SNA in the area, NGOs present in Manbij had to close their offices and suspend their activities. As a result, WASH actors reported the suspension of WASH services in Manbij camps and Health actors reported the suspension of all activities in NGO supported healthcare facilities, including 7 PHC, one hospital, one emergency coordination center and one mobile medical unit, all of which have been vandalized and looted.
Access and delivery of service has faced challenges across all parts of NES, most particularly 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. The NES NGO Forum with local authorities 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. Nonetheless, sporadic blocks to movement have been repeatedly reported at checkpoints across Raqqa, Tabqa, Hasakeh, and Derik.
Late on the afternoon of 10 December, reports indicated that clashes in the vicinity of Tishreen Dam in Manbij affected the structure of the dam, and prevented technicians from access to intervene.
Were the dam to stop functioning, impacts to electricity, water, and agriculture across NES would be severe. Were the dam to collapse, severe and rapid flooding could be expected, threatening loss of life and livelihood to nearly 1,000,000 individuals. Concurrently, reporting indicated that armed groups were moving towards Kobani from Manbij, with electricity cut off in both areas. Clashes have not resumed, however, in either area following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement that saw SDF withdrawing from Manbij. Airstrikes, however, have continued to target areas around Kobani with reported loss of civilian lives, including healthcare staff when an ambulance was targeted.
The pause in clashes on the ground has allowed for technicians to access Tishreen dam with a view to assessing and mitigating the damage.