SUHA EL-ALI

 Idlib- Attacks and oppression on the people of Idlib, controlled by the Turkish state and the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) keep increasing every day. The members of the HTS, loyal to HTS commander-in-chief Ahmed Hussein al-Shar'a (nom de guerre as Abu Mohammad al-Julani) raid homes, arrest and torture people every day for defending the freedom of thought and expression.

The tent of Salva Alwan (31), a displaced woman living in al-Bardaqli camp, was raided by the members of the HTS one night. During the raid, her spouse was tortured and kidnapped. “All my spouse did was to complain about the high prices,” Salva Alwan told NuJINHA. “What we experienced was terrifying. My children were especially afraid of what happened.”

They aim to silence people

The spouse of Meryem Salmo (29) was beaten, insulted, threatened and then arrested by the members of the HTS, who wore face masks. “My spouse did nothing to deserve such a terrible arrest. He always tried to stay away from trouble. The members of the HTS use such inhuman practices to suppress possible protests.”

The spouse of Meryam Salmo has been held in prison for five months. “My children are still afraid of staying at home because they think that what happened would happen again. They cannot overcome the trauma caused by the HTS. I have not been allowed to see my spouse for five months.”

‘Children suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder’

Intimation, raids and violence cause post-traumatic stress disorder among children and women, psychologist Duaa Nur El-Din told NuJINHA. “Such terrifying events affect the mental health condition of children, especially children under six years old. In such situations, mothers have an important role to make children feel safe. All kinds of aggressive practices in Idlib should be ended to protect children.”