ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Instead of the sound of a school bell and children’s chatter, only the icy breath of Abdul Ghani Ismail and his children echo within four walls of a classroom that has become their home.
Ismail and his family were displaced from Sari Kani (Ras al-Ain) to Hasaka in northeastern Syria in 2019 due to war and conflict. Speaking to Rudaw, he recounted years of living inside the school with his children.
“There is a lot of hardship. I don't have the money to rent a house. We are seven or eight people living in this small kitchen. Our situation is very bad, and no one has helped us until now. Serekaniye has an unclear situation, and we don't know if we'll return or if another displacement awaits us,” Ismail told Rudaw on Thursday.
Thousands of civilians in northeastern Syria are facing displacement and shortages of food, electricity, and shelter amid fears of renewed fighting between Kurdish and Damascus-affiliated armed groups. Since mid-January, Syrian government forces and allied armed groups have advanced into SDF-held areas, including the predominantly Kurdish Hasaka province, heightening fears of further instability.
In Hasaka city, many shops and markets have closed amid concerns over escalation, while some residents have moved their belongings to Qamishli. Bakeries remain open, but residents wait in long lines for hours to secure bread.
Mhedin Haj Hussein, who has remained in Hasaka, said daily life continues despite the uncertainty. “The situation is good, and people are ready for everything. By God, even if war breaks out, I will still come to get bread and distribute it, because this is a necessity and people need help more in times of war,” he said.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Thursday that the number of internally displaced people in Hasaka province has surged above 134,000, up sharply from 5,725 recorded on Sunday. The mass displacement reflects growing fears of violence near SDF-held areas, military bases, and detention facilities holding Islamic State (ISIS) suspects and their families.
Above the city, the sound of warplanes intermittently breaks the silence, as American fighter jets, Apache helicopters, and A-10 Thunderbolts patrol Hasaka’s skies, monitoring the uneasy truce.
A ceasefire agreement signed earlier this month, which aims to integrate SDF structures into Syrian state institutions, has remained fragile and has been repeatedly violated, the SDF said. Each breach has renewed fears of further displacement, wider instability and threats to ISIS detention facilities that could pave the way for the group’s resurgence.
While civilians struggle with access to food and shelter, security forces have increased their presence around the city.
Zilan, a Kurdish fighter, said steps had been taken to protect residents.
“Our comrades have taken the necessary measures. Now, an operation for the inspection and protection of our people inside Hasaka has begun. Let those sides who want war know, we continue on the path of our martyrs and will protect the city,” she said.