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Monitor Groups Warn of Enduring Refugee Crisis Amid Turkish Incursion in
Syria

Ezel Sahinkaya

   Human rights organizations say they are preparing for a long-lasting
   displacement of civilians in northeastern Syria as a result of a
   military operation by Turkey and its aligned Syrian militants against
   the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces.

   The new Turkish offensive into Syria on Wednesday started after U.S.
   President Donald Trump's decision Sunday to withdraw U.S. troops from
   the region.

   As the Turkish government on Thursday said its military pushed deeper
   into the region in its operation, humanitarian agency Care
   International told VOA that approximately 90,000 people have become
   internally displaced since its beginning on Wednesday.

   "Following the launch of a new military operation in the area,
   civilians in northeast Syria are at high risk," said Fatima Azzeh, the
   senior regional communications manager for the Syria crisis at Care
   International.

   "Reports from responders on the ground say civilians are already on the
   move and some vital services, such as medical facilities and water
   supplies, have been interrupted," Azzeh said, adding that thousands
   more civilians are expected to leave the area in coming days.

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