Damascus: Agencies – Europe and the Arabs

The United Nations addressed the latest developments regarding the return of Syrian refugees and the provision of humanitarian aid to them. It stated that while some have returned home, many remain displaced due to unexploded ordnance, damaged infrastructure, winter conditions, and difficulty accessing even the most basic services. Following this, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior denied reports circulating about Iraq opening its borders to Syrian refugees and receiving 350,000 Syrian refugees.

A statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior read: "While we categorically deny these reports, we urge accuracy in disseminating information and obtaining news exclusively from official sources, avoiding malicious rumors."

The Ministry also emphasized in its statement "the necessity for bloggers to refrain from circulating inaccurate information and the importance of following the official websites of authorized entities."

Last month, the spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu'man, confirmed that the construction of a concrete wall along the Syrian border had reached 80 percent completion. Al-Nu'man explained that "the concrete wall is equipped with thermal cameras and is one of three main barriers separating the Iraqi and Syrian borders, in addition to barbed wire and a trench."

He emphasized that "the Iraqi borders are fully secured, not only with Syria but with all neighboring countries," noting that "the unique and unstable security situation in Syria necessitated a greater focus on securing the Iraqi-Syrian border."

This came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his hope on Monday that the US-backed ceasefire agreement between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) would be implemented without any delays or setbacks.

The agreement stipulates the integration of the Kurdish-administered Syrian regions with Damascus. In a statement following a cabinet meeting, Erdoğan said the agreement opened "a new chapter" for the Syrian people.

For its part, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide vital assistance to thousands of people in the northeast of the country. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that a convoy of more than 20 trucks and a mobile clinic arrived in Ain al-Arab/Kobani in Aleppo Governorate on Monday, carrying ready-to-eat food, hygiene supplies, and fuel.

This is the second convoy to reach the area in a week, as the city continues to suffer from shortages of water, communications, medical supplies, and food, among other essential services. Local communities rely on bakeries as their primary source of food.

OCHA noted that since the outbreak of fighting in Aleppo in December, more than 150,000 people have received humanitarian assistance.

Humanitarian convoy reaches Qamishli
OCHA also reported that a UN convoy of 50 trucks carrying humanitarian aid from Damascus arrived in Qamishli, Hasakah Governorate, the third such convoy in a week.

OCHA reiterated that as of January 25, more than 170,000 people had been forced to flee their homes in 178 communities across northeast Syria, mostly in Hasakah Governorate. He said the vast majority of these displaced people are women and children, who face increased risks of violence and abuse.

He noted that nearly three-quarters of displaced families are living with host communities, further straining housing, water, basic services, and livelihoods in already challenging conditions for these communities.

He added that while some have returned home, many remain displaced due to unexploded ordnance, damaged infrastructure, winter conditions, and limited access to even the most basic services.