More than 15,000 families displaced from Afrin, Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), and Gire Spi (Tal Abyad) continue to reside in camps across northeastern Syria. Their situation reflects a complex interaction of military developments, administrative fragmentation, and limited humanitarian access that has shaped displacement patterns in the region since 2018.
**Background and Drivers of Displacement**
The initial waves of displacement began in 2018 following military operations in Afrin, and expanded further in 2019 with hostilities around Sere Kaniye and Gire Spi. These operations resulted in large-scale population movements toward areas under the administration of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
Despite periodic political discussions regarding returns, no comprehensive framework has been implemented to ensure safe, voluntary, and sustainable return for displaced populations.
Current Living Conditions in the Camps
Displaced families are distributed among several major camps:
* 2,574 families in Ras al-Ain Camp
* 2,357 families in Washokani Camp
* 6,000 families in Tel al-Samen Camp (Raqqa)
* 2,200 families in Tabqa
* 2,041 families in Raqqa
This amounts to a total of 15,172 families, representing more than 32,000 individuals.
Field reports from camp administrations indicate recurring challenges:
* Seasonal flooding that damages tents and disrupts access to essential services
* Limited heating resources during winter
* Insufficient infrastructure for water and sanitation
* Strained capacity due to ongoing arrivals and lack of camp expansion
These issues are compounded by fluctuating levels of humanitarian assistance, which vary according to organizational presence and funding cycles.
Afrin IDPs: A Second Wave of Displacement
A notable segment of displaced persons from Afrin experienced a second displacement in late 2024, following renewed military activity in the northern Aleppo countryside. Many of these families are currently settled in and around Tabqa.
Camp coordinators report that the aging infrastructure—particularly tents and communal facilities—requires extensive replacement to meet minimum standards.
Human Rights and Protection Concerns
Human rights organizations emphasize two parallel concerns:
1. **Humanitarian vulnerability** resulting from prolonged displacement, inadequate shelter, and limited access to essential services.
2. **Uncertainty regarding return**, as displaced families express willingness to return to their areas of origin only under conditions guaranteeing security, property rights, and administrative clarity.
These organizations also note that the political and military landscape remains unstable, which reduces opportunities for voluntary return.
**Winter Vulnerabilities and Humanitarian Gaps**
With the onset of winter, unmet needs increase significantly. Camp managements report demand for:
* Heating fuel
* Winter clothing
* Reinforced or replacement tents
* Improvements to drainage and sanitation systems
The ability to meet these needs is closely tied to the responsiveness of humanitarian agencies working in the region.
**Conclusion**
The situation of displaced families from Afrin, Sere Kaniye, and Gire Spi remains a prolonged and unresolved humanitarian file. While the operational conditions within the camps remain relatively stable, structural challenges—including resource shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and unresolved political conditions—continue to limit progress toward durable solutions.
