Red Cross expands aid in Syria, seeks answers on missing Kurdish civilians

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expanded its humanitarian operations across northern and northeastern Syria (Rojava) following weeks of clashes and displacement, while continuing confidential efforts to clarify the fate of missing civilians in Kurdish-populated areas, according to a spokesperson for the organization.

In an interview with Rudaw on Monday, Fareed al-Homaid, spokesperson for the ICRC in Syria, said the organization’s ability to operate depends on secure and unhindered access and ongoing dialogue with all parties controlling territory.

“As a neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian organization, the ability of the International Committee of the Red Cross to assist people affected by conflict and other situations of violence depends on safe, timely, and unhindered humanitarian access,” Homaid said. “Our assistance is provided based solely on need, without any discrimination.”

The humanitarian situation in Rojava and northern Syria follows a large-scale offensive launched in mid-January by the Syrian Arab Army and affiliated forces against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Rojava’s de facto military force, advancing across parts of Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Hasaka provinces.

The SDF and Damascus later announced an internationally brokered agreement to end hostilities and integrate Rojava’s civil and military institutions under state authority. Kobane in northern Syria has remained under a strict siege for around a month, fueling alarm over worsening humanitarian conditions.

Medical aid in Aleppo, Kobane

Homaid said that in recent weeks, the ICRC, in close coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, delivered emergency assistance to Aleppo city, including the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh.

The two neighborhoods faced severe humanitarian challenges after Damascus and affiliated forces imposed a siege following their attacks on the Kurdish forces in the neighborhoods in early January.

According to Homaid, medical supplies were provided to Al-Razi Hospital, enough to treat 50 critically injured patients, while primary healthcare kits were delivered to clinics in Sheikh Maqsood and to the Aleppo health directorate, covering the needs of around 20,000 people for three months.

“We also provided five first-aid kits and consumables… sufficient to treat 100 critically injured patients,” he said, adding that 300 blankets were distributed to Al-Razi Hospital and Aleppo University hospital during winter.

In addition to health support, the ICRC carried out sewage rehabilitation in 12 collective shelters hosting displaced families and distributed cleaning supplies. The organization also supported the Al-Khafsa water treatment plant by delivering 25 tons of water sterilization materials.

In the besieged town of Kobane, Homaid said the ICRC distributed large-scale humanitarian aid, including 3,000 food baskets, 2,000 rice portions, 3,000 blankets, 24,000 bottles of drinking water, hygiene kits, and 1,000 solar-powered lamps to vulnerable families. Medical supplies were also provided to Kobane Hospital to treat war-wounded patients.

Despite a January 29 agreement between the SDF and Damascus that halted fighting and outlined steps toward military and administrative integration, Kobane remains under siege by Syrian government forces. Residents are calling for roads to be reopened and urgent humanitarian aid delivered to the city.

Missing persons, detainees

Addressing reports of more than 250 missing people from Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh, Homaid said the ICRC is aware of the allegations but cannot confirm figures publicly “due to the confidential nature of our work," adding that they will "take all these reports very seriously.”

Under its mandate derived from the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC works to clarify the fate of missing persons, restore family contact, and advocate for the humane treatment of detainees.

“The Red Cross is in constant dialogue with the [Syrian] forces to gain access to detention centers, and we demand appropriate humanitarian treatment for prisoners,” Homaid said, stressing that the organization does not have the authority to release detainees.

Water, aid in Hasaka

In Hasaka province, the ICRC has reinforced its teams and expanded water operations. Homaid said the organization now delivers an average of 1,300 cubic meters of water per day to 176 communal street tanks, benefiting around 100,000 people.

The ICRC has also provided drinking water to displacement centers, delivered medical supplies to hospitals and clinics in Qamishli and Hasaka, and distributed food and household aid to displaced families in Newroz camp.