WEEKLY REPORT 26 March – 1 April 2021

KEY DYNAMICS

Government fuel and healthcare 2

Government fuel crisis intensifies ...... 2

Government’s additional measures to combat COVID-19 ...... 3

ISIS destabilizes northeast ...... 6

ISIS threats cause resignation of council members ...... 6

SDF and IC search and arrest campaign in Al Hol camp ...... 6

Access and services in northern ...... 7

Syrian government seeks commercial crossings in north ...... 7

The return of water provision in city ...... 9

Cover photo: SDF Raids in Al-Hol camp (Source: AFP/The National)

MERCY CORPS HUMANITARIAN ACCESS WEEKLY REPORT, 26 March – 1 April 2021  1 Government fuel and healthcare Governorate fuel allocations significantly reduced Government fuel crisis intensifies The executive councils in several governorates announced the reduction of fuel allocations and Fuel scarcity has reached an all-time high in additional administrative measures to cope with Syrian government-held areas, causing gas the unprecedented scarcity of fuel. At the end of stations to close down, extensive queuing and March, the central fuel councils in Hama, shortages throughout the governorates. In As- Tartous, Dar’a and imposed a limit on Sweida, only five stations remain open to serve private vehicles of 20 liters per week on benzene the entire population, while in Rural Damascus, Additionally, fuel allocations in Hama and local sources report queues up to one kilometer Damascus were reduced for both petrol and long, with citizens waiting two to three days in diesel; Hama’s allocations went from 14 to 10 front of gas stations, some resorting to sleeping trucks for petrol and 14 to 6.5 for diesel and in their cars. In Damascus city, reports show that Damascus’ dropped from 48 to 41 trucks for cars are absent on the streets, even during rush petrol and 18 to 14 for diesel. Both governorates hour, although roads on which gas stations are are reportedly prioritizing diesel distribution for open are full with citizens queuing in cars. , bakeries and public transport vehicles to avoid disruptions to basic services.

Figure 1: State supplied and black market price of benzene in Rural Damascus governorate

MERCY CORPS HUMANITARIAN ACCESS WEEKLY REPORT, 26 March – 1 April 2021  2 Additionally in Tartous, the central fuel board Suez canal blockage cause of increased has introduced a license plate system to reduce fuel scarcity? overcrowding in petrol stations. This system On 27 March, the Ministry of Petroleum and requires vehicles whose license plate ends with Mineral Resources stated that the blocking of an odd number to fill-up on odd-numbered days the Suez Canal by the megaship Ever Given of the month with a similar arrangement applied “affected oil imports to Syria, causing significant for those with license plates ending with an even delays to the arrival of oil tankers carrying oil number. products to Syria.” While Syria-bound oil Fuel becoming increasingly shipments coming from Iran generally use the unaffordable Suez Canal, it is difficult to determine the itinerary and size of the shipment which the Due to the general decrease in fuel supplies, the ministry is referring to in addition to its potential price of benzene has increased by more than impact on alleviating the fuel crisis. 50% (to 4.500 SYP per liter) in a week in the black market in Rural Damascus (as shown in Figure 1). Regardless, despite the alleged delay, the causes of the fuel crisis remain chronic. With sanctions Besides the price increase on the black market, deterring potential sellers, low foreign currency the Syrian government also increased its state reserves preventing oil purchases, and part of supplied fuel prices on 15 March. The Ministry of the domestic oil supply tied up in other zones of Domestic Trade and Consumer Protection control, the Syrian government is still reliant on issued Decision 854 setting the price of several Iran's oil shipments. These oil shipments, fuel-related products (as shown in Table 1). however, are also constantly in danger of

Table 1: Official price increase of fuel related disruption: Israel has reportedly targeted more products under Decision 854 than 12 Iranian oil shipments to Syria, with Iran lately hitting back by attacking an Israeli-owned Fuel type Old price New price Percentage container ship with a missile in the Arabian Sea (SYP per (SYP per increase liter) liter) on 25 March. While the arrival of the alleged oil shipment stuck in the Suez Canal may bring a Gas canister 2,700 3,850 30 % reprieve to Syria's ever-intensifying fuel crisis, it is unlikely to be resolved unless structural issues 95-Octane 1,200 2,000 40 % hindering supply are resolved. petrol

Subsidized 475 750 37 % Syrian government takes benzene additional measures to combat COVID-19 Unsubsidized 650 1,300 50 % benzene On 27 March, the Ministerial Committee to Combat COVID-19, headed by Hussein Arnous,

MERCY CORPS HUMANITARIAN ACCESS WEEKLY REPORT, 26 March – 1 April 2021  3 Syrian prime minister, took several new steps to hospitals in Rural Damascus are ready to move combat the virus's spread in government-held to Plan B if necessary. Nanous stated that Al areas. The Committee has decided to repurpose Qutayfah, Jirud, Az-Zabadani, Qatana, and At the Heart Surgery in Damascus and the Tall hospitals are at 60% capacity, adding that Police Hospital (if needed) to receive COVID-19 the COVID-19 quarantine wards and ICUs In the patients exclusively, and has instructed the following hospitals were added to maximize Ministry of Electricity to continue providing capacity: electricity to oxygen pumping stations in Hama and governorates. The committee has Table 2: Additional beds added across Damascus and Rural Damascus also requested the Minister of Industry to increase production of disinfectants for Hospital Additional beds increased disinfection campaigns, and the Minister of Communications to increase Qutayfah 30 beds in the quarantine ward awareness campaigns. Qatana 5 beds in the quarantine ward and 16 in Ministry of Health expands COVID-19 the ICU capacity in Damascus and Rural Damascus At Tall 8 beds in the quarantine ward and 6 in the ICU On 29 March, the head of al-Nafis hospital in

Damascus city, Dr. Nizar Ibrahim, stated that the Jirud 6 in the ICU hospital was at 56% capacity, with 33 beds out of

68 in the quarantine ward, and 15 out of 17 in the Az- 30 in the quarantine ward and 4 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) now occupied. Ibrahim Zabadani ICU also stated that the hospital has a reserve oxygen tank that can fit up to 10 tons of liquid oxygen for Government continues to pursue patients in need of ventilators. The counterproductive policies announcements relating to capacity came with While health officials paint an optimistic picture the news that 35 to 40 patients displaying about the healthcare system’s readiness to COVID-19 symptoms have been visiting the welcome more COVID-19 patients, local sources hospital on a daily basis since the beginning of have described the situation in some areas as March. desperate, as many citizens are still unable to On the same day, head of the Damascus find a vacancy in government hospitals. Reports directorate of health, Dr. Yassine Nanous, stated show patients in al-Muwasat hospital in that all quarantine wards specialized to welcome Damascus city sleeping in the hospital’s garden COVID-19 patients have oxygen, the necessary due to absence of vacant rooms. Sources also medicine, and personal protective equipment for report that the huge cost of hospitalization has the medical staff, and that all government prompted people to choose to set up makeshift

MERCY CORPS HUMANITARIAN ACCESS WEEKLY REPORT, 26 March – 1 April 2021  4 treatment rooms in their houses, which has told media sources, “the amount of oxygen we greatly increased the demand for oxygen and have is sufficient to last us for days until the oxygen tanks. company sends us another batch.” Dr. Jean Homsi, head of Elias al-Hrawi government Despite the need for oxygen in government-held hospital, also stated that “the situation is still the areas, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad directed same, we did not order a new batch….I think that the Ministry of Health on 24 March to grant we have enough oxygen to last us both today and neighboring Lebanon 75 tonnes of liquid oxygen. tomorrow.” This revelation has led many to Dr. Hassan al-Ghabash, Syrian health minister, perceive Assad’s directive as a public relations stated that the government “received a phone ploy to score political points at the expense of call from Lebanon’s minister of health asking the public health in Syria. Syrian government for help in providing oxygen for COVID-19 patients in ICUs in Lebanese After Damascus, Tartous governorate hospitals.” Ghabash acknowledged Syria’s suspends non-emergency medical difficult public health situation stating that the operations country is “going through difficulties and the On 24 March, Tartous health ministry suspended hospitals are full of patients” but added that non-emergency medical operations and directed “Syria is used to providing assistance” and that hospitals to increase hospital capacity and they are “ready to help.” readiness of their medical staff to treat COVID- The news caused frustration among the Syrian 19 patients akin to the Damascus health population, who saw that the oxygen stocks they directorate’s measures. The measures come desperately needed would be given to the after statements by health officials in the neighboring country. Moreover, several health governorate highlighted the deteriorating officials in Lebanon later stated that they had no situation. Head of al-Bassil hospital’s general need for the oxygen. Dr. Firas al-Abiad, head of authority, Iskandar Amar, stated that the Rafik al-Hariri government hospital in Beirut, number of COVID-19 patients in the quarantine ward increased from 60 to 71 within days, adding that the number of patients displaying COVID- 19 symptoms continues to grow. Of note, the Tartous health directorate reported 1,154 COVID-19 cases back in February, while the Ministry of Health’s current numbers in the governorate stand at 1,550 cases.

Healthcare workers are continuing their plea for citizens to abide by precautionary measures to Lebanon’s Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Hassan in a help contain the virus's spread. While healthcare meeting with Syria’s Minister of Health Dr. Hassan al-Ghabash on 24 March workers seem to be hard at work to expand the

MERCY CORPS HUMANITARIAN ACCESS WEEKLY REPORT, 26 March – 1 April 2021  5 healthcare system's capacity to cope with the Thiban) and the northern canton (Sur), where increasing number of cases, the government ISIS cells are widespread. appears to be continuing with its series of counterproductive policies making the task of SDF and IC search and arrest healthcare workers increasingly difficult. Given campaign in Al Hol camp the absence of full coordination and unified policy orientation towards combating COVID- On 26 March, the Syrian Democratic Forces 19, insufficient resources, and the government's (SDF), Rapid Intervention Forces, Anti- prioritization of political and economic gains Terrorism Forces, Internal Security forces (ISF, over public health, it is likely that the COVID-19 formerly Asayish), the People's Protection Units situation will continue to worsen in Syrian (YPG), Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), in government areas. addition to aerial coverage from the International Coalition (IC), began a search and ISIS destabilizes northeast raid operation on Al-Hol camp.

ISIS threats cause resignation of Sources indicate that camp authorities have council members suspended most humanitarian activities because of the operation. In addition, vandalism against On 26 March, nine Basira (Basira subdistrict) NGO property by residents has occurred, Central Canton Council members, including including the burning of a school, looting of an Amer al-Hamad, head of the Education administrative center and damage to a childcare Committee, and Nisreen al-Assaf, co-chair of the center. In response, NGOs have successfully Coordination Committee, resigned from their advocated for the resumption of most critical posts after only two weeks of their appointment. activities, and will progressively restart services Local sources reported Hamad and Assaf as and when the operation finishes in each phase. confirmed that their resignation came after ISIS had threatened them with death if they Following the operation, in which reports show continued to work for the Self-Administration. 53 camp residents were arrested on suspicion of ISIS affiliation, various members of the security The Self-Administration accepted the nine forces released statements on its success. US members' resignation without comment and military spokesperson Col. Wayne Marotto appointed new members in their place. The Self- tweeted that Abu Saad Al-Iraqi, a prominent ISIS Administration has also not announced any leader, was captured during the operation. The measures to curb threats from ISIS, while ISIS SDF's Coordination and Military Operations threats continue to target its Arab employees. In Center added that they discovered a cache filled the long-run, this may cause an imbalance in the with ISIS-related materials and that 4,089 names representation of Arab’s within the of residents had their identities verified. Kino administrative structure of Deir-ez-Zor, Gabriel, spokesperson for the SDF, stated that especially in the central canton (Basira and during the operation, camp residents were

MERCY CORPS HUMANITARIAN ACCESS WEEKLY REPORT, 26 March – 1 April 2021  6 photographed and finger-printed to ensure their Access and services in northern Syria identity and in an effort to stop infiltration attempts into the camp. Mazloum Abdi, Syrian government seeks to secretary-general of the SDF, tweeted about the open commercial crossings in operation, calling on countries to "take back north their citizens and provide more humanitarian support to Al-Hol camp to improve the camp's Government’s aborted attempt to conditions," referring to foreign residents in Al- reopen crossings in northwest Hol. On 24 March, the Russian Ministry of Defense The massive security campaign comes amid the announced that it had reached an agreement increasing number of security incidents in Al- with the Turkish authority to reopen crossing Hol. It was reported that during the first three points between opposition and Syrian months of 2021, the camp witnessed nearly 40 government-held areas in the northwest. deaths – including two children – with Syrian and According to the statement, humanitarian and Iraqi citizens the exclusive targets. Most of these civilian traffic would be allowed to resume in crimes were reportedly carried out using guns Saraqab (Saraqab subdistrict) and Mezanaz with silencers instead of homemade weapons, (Atareb subdistrict) crossing points in Idleb and indicating the possibility of an organized Abu Zendin crossing point (Al Bab subdistrict) in network of smuggling advanced weapons into northern Aleppo, from 25 March. However in an the camp. HAT reported on concerns and apparent about-turn on 30 March deputy head durable solutions in Al-Hol camp, including the of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria, complexity of the environment, protection and Alexander Karpov, announced the re-closure of human rights issues, and societal acceptance of the three crossings: Allegedly opposition groups returnees who leave Al-Hol and return to their had been involved in “provocative bombing” and areas of origin. disrupting the movement of civilians. There remains no evidence of any aggression against personnel or civilians at border crossings.

Local sources confirmed that the Saraqab crossing was opened by Syrian government forces, and was likely closed due to a lack of movement or uptake in commercial activity from opposition-held areas. Furthermore, locals in Idleb, Afrin and Janders (), among other towns and villages in the SDF raids in Al-Hol camp. (Source: Enab Baladi) northwest, demonstrated against the openings, taking issue with trade and movement with the Syrian government.

MERCY CORPS HUMANITARIAN ACCESS WEEKLY REPORT, 26 March – 1 April 2021  7 Crossing points between Syrian government and would exclusively come under Syrian opposition-held areas in northwest Syria have government control. been closed for over a year. Several commercial crossings, including al-Madiq Castle, Al-Eis and New commercial crossing in northeast Murak linked these areas before the Syrian could alleviate government crises government's last military campaign in February On 24 March, the Syrian government's Fourth 2020, along with previously mentioned Division established a new crossing in Sheib humanitarian and civilian routes. Hay'at Tahrir Eldakar (Mansura subdistrict) in the western al-Sham (HTS) attempted to reopen the Saraqab countryside of Tabaqa, in Ar-Raqqa governorate. and Mezanaz crossings in April 2020, however This announcement came after the Fourth failed due to civilian protests at the time. Division closed the Tabaqa, Sabkha, and Al-Hura crossings for several days before partially Unwilling opposition and strategic reopening the Tabaqa crossing for students and government maneuvers humanitarian actors. These are the three main While Turkey has not commented on the Russian crossing points for civilians, goods and fuel from statement, the head of the Turkish-backed Self-Administration to Syrian government-held Syrian Interim Government (SIG), Abd al- areas in Ar-Raqqa. Rahman Mustafa, stated that claims of an agreement being reached are inaccurate. The Later, on 27 March, local media reported that a SIG’s finance minister, Abdel Hakim Al-Masry, meeting between Russian and Self- explained that opening the crossings would Administration officials took place in western benefit the Syrian government, providing a flow Deir-ez-Zor to discuss the opening of new of foreign currency into its areas before the commercial crossings between government and elections, however would negatively affect Self-Administration-held areas. Reports indicate opposition-held areas by exposing them to that a preliminary agreement was reached to Caesar sanctions and price increases as a result. open the crossing between the Syrian government-held town of Al Husainia (Deir-ez- Talks of reopening the crossings come in light of Zor subdistrict) and the Self-Administration- a significant military escalation and intense held town of Jneineh (Deir-ez-Zor subdistrict) bombing by the Russian and Syrian warplanes within the next few weeks. It is worth noting that against many strategic sites in Idleb, western and the opening of the Al Husainia-Jneineh crossing northern Aleppo. Reasons behind this could be coincides with the intensification of the fuel and what observers and experts see as Russian gas crisis in government-held areas; the preparatory steps to stop allowing entry of UN northeast is host to a large proportion of Syrian humanitarian aid through the only remaining oil-wells, currently under Self-Administration crossing in the northwest the Bab al-Hawa and US military control. crossing in Idleb, during the Security Council meeting next July. Humanitarian assistance then

MERCY CORPS HUMANITARIAN ACCESS WEEKLY REPORT, 26 March – 1 April 2021  8 The return of water provision in water tanks and water trucking, purchased at far higher costs than mains water supply. Azaz city The re-pumping operation represents a response On 28 March, Azaz local council announced that plan by the Azaz local council to meet high water the Medanki dam would resume water pumping demands, especially during the month of as of the beginning of Ramadan (mid-April). The Ramadan. The council did not clarify who would council stated however that the resumption of finance the monthly expenses, estimated at pumping was contingent on the collection of 200,000 TRY per month ($24,500), noting that fees, which would need to cover operational the council's revenue from water provision does costs. Water from Medanki Dam has been not exceed 10,000 TRY a month ($1,200). Local suspended since August 2020, when the sources reported that the Azaz local council contract between the local council and the water expects to receive an estimated 20 TRY ($2.45) company came to an end without renewal. per month from households connected to the Azaz gets its water from two primary sources: water network, while failure to pay the bill could 70% from the Medanki dam and 30% from the lead to the suspension of electricity to the wells in Qastal (Afrin subdistrict), and Maarin houses (via instruction from the local council). and () in northern Aleppo. When pumping stopped at Medanki You might have missed; dam, Qastal, Maarin, and Kaljibrin continued to provide water to parts of Azaz city. Water from  SDF close smuggling routes these sources alone covers less than 40% of the  Military conscription, Deir-ez-Zor city’s needs, and only reaches the city center  SDF siege on Syrian government where water networks exist. Newly built  Syrian government surrounds Dar’a neighborhoods on the outskirts of Azaz, which are parts of Azaz city today, do not have a water network. This forces the inhabitants to rely on

MERCY CORPS HUMANITARIAN ACCESS WEEKLY REPORT, 26 March – 1 April 2021  9

CONTACT Nicholas Bodanac Humanitarian Access Team [email protected]

The Humanitarian Access Team (HAT) was established in Beirut in March 2015 in response to the collective challenges facing the remote humanitarian response in Syria. Successful humanitarian and development interventions require a nuanced and objective understanding of the human ecosystems in which these interventions occur. To this end, the HAT’s most important function is to collect, triangulate, synthesize, analyze and operationalize disparate data and information. Since 2015, HAT analysis has provided a forward-looking template for international interventions in Syria, and facilitated an increasingly nimble, adaptive, integrated, and ultimately impactful international response to the Syrian conflict.