ZEYNEB XILEF

Deir ez-Zor- Since September 23, Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon, displacing thousands. Thousands of Syrian refugees living in southern Lebanon have fled to North and East Syria. About 19,000 people, including 69 Lebanese citizens, have already entered the region controlled by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The AANES setting up a crisis center has declared mobilization to provide aid to the people who fled from southern Lebanon to North and East Syria.

 NuJINHA spoke to Sama Hamed Al-Ali and Maryam Al-Halid, two women who fled from southern Lebanon to North and East Syria.

‘We hope that solidarity will continue’

60-year-old Sama Hamed Al-Ali is one of the Syrian refugees, who fled from Lebanon and settled in Hecîn (Hajin), a small city in the Deir ez-Zor Canton. “North and East Syria is safer than other places,” she said. “We left our house and walked to North and East Syria. “We were welcomed by the authorities in North and East Syria. However, the people in Lebanon face difficult living conditions and need help. They suffer from the lack of basic needs such as food and fuel. Despite all the difficulties, we were able to reach Hecîn. We felt very happy when we arrived in the town. The AANES has made great efforts for us. We would like to thank everyone who supported and helped us. We hope that this solidarity will continue.”

 ‘We fled without taking anything’

Maryam Al- Halid returned to Deir ez-Zor along with her family after four years in Lebanon. “We had a normal life in Lebanon; we were working and maintaining our life there,” she told us. “We had to flee from Lebanon due to the ongoing bombardment. We fled without taking anything. Our journey to the border was very difficult. We had to pay 100 dollars per person to cross the border. Our journey from Lebanon to Syria lasted four days.”

‘We do not think of returning’

When Maryam Al- Halid and her family members arrived in Damascus, they had to sleep outside due to high hotel prices. “Even public transportation prices in Damascus were high. This situation doubled our suffering. My children felt lost. We had to sleep outside for a week. When we arrived in Hecîn, we decided to stay here because it is safe. We returned to our hometown and we will rebuild our life here despite all the challenges. We do not think of returning to Lebanon.”