Damascus government’s embargo on Shehba ruins agriculture

Afrin people were forced to migrate after the invasion of Afrin and settled in the camps in Shehba. Since then, the Damascus government has been imposing a strict embargo on the neighboring Shehba canton to clamp down on the IDPs. Even fundamental foodstuffs do not reach Shehba, where the embargo has adversely affected agriculture. Since the government forces disallow the transportation of diesel oil and fertilizer into Shehba, farmers cannot cultivate their fields. Agricultural production makes up 65 percent of the economy in Shehba.

Basim Osman, co-chair of the Afrin Agriculture Committee, spoke about the effects of the embargo on agriculture, saying, “The agricultural sector is heading for a dangerous future. During the previous years, rainwater was sufficient for agriculture. Today, however, farmers are forced to irrigate the fields due to the shortage of rain water. Fields of farmers who cannot find diesel oil for irrigation have dried up. Due to the embargo imposed on Shehba, diesel oil cannot be supplied.”

Expressing that many farmers abandoned agriculture and did not plant winter products due to challenging conditions, Basim Osman addressed human rights organisations and stressed that everyone should take responsibility in order for the embargo to be lifted. He warned that serious humanitarian crises could break out if the embargo continues.