Fayez Abu Eid | Action Group
Handarat Palestinian refugee camp is located north of Aleppo city in a geographical location that makes it vulnerable to security challenges and ongoing suffering. The camp’s residents pay the price for its distance from the city center and its location behind the Al-Jandoul (Al-Awija) roundabout, where SDF fighters monitor the area through their snipers.
On the other hand, in the Fayfin area (next to the old Aleppo Central Prison), fighters who do not recognize the new authority in Damascus are stationed, which has placed the camp between the pincers of security tension and chaos. In the absence of any official representation of the Palestinian factions or the “Committee,”the camp has become easy prey for armed gangs that exploit the security vacuum. These gunmen, who disguise behind the uniform of the General Security and wear masks, carry out thefts without accountability or supervision, taking advantage of weak oversight and the absence of the law.
In a shocking incident that reflects the chaotic reality in the camp, an armed group entered the UNRWA-affiliated Al-Zeib School, claiming to be from the General Security Forces. In a suspicious manner, the group asked UNRWA employees (medical and educational) to enter the educational facility, then stole a Mercedes dump truck in front of the workers, UNRWA employees, and school students who were on their way home.
One of the workers tried to ask the gunmen about their identity and who they represented, but he was insulted and detained in a manner similar to the behavior of the previous “regime thugs.”After a five-minute argument, they released him after he confirmed to them that the truck was owned by one of the workers, had identification papers, and that its owner worked in the Ramouseh area. However, they took the truck to an unknown location.
This incident is not the first of its kind, but it clearly reflects the seriousness of the security situation in Handarat camp, as it seems that the camp has become an arena for armed gangs that exploit the absence of responsible authorities to carry out their criminal operations. What is worse is that these operations are taking place openly, in plain sight and hearing of everyone, without any action to stop this ongoing bleeding.
An eyewitness from Handarat camp reported that the same gang stole Handarat’s large generator by bringing in a crane at the same time as the truck was stolen.
Who bears the responsibility of protecting the people of Handarat camp?
Will the concerned authorities take action to end this security chaos?
Or will the camp remain hostage to the conflicts of the conflicting powers and theft gangs?
In the absence of solutions, the camp’s residents remain trapped between the conflicting parties, victims of a bitter reality that threatens their lives and livelihoods on a daily basis.