Paris, 18 January 2026
Following the clashes over the last two days between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and government forces in north-eastern Syria, the vital activities of the Mehad NGO have been maintained, with the rest of its activities remaining suspended for the time being.
Although a ceasefire was signed at the end of the day on 18 January 2026, raising hopes of a rapid end to the conflict, the security situation remains unstable in north-eastern Syria, mainly in the Deir-ez-Zor and Raqqa regions, with a significant impact on Mehad’s humanitarian health work.
Incidents between the FDS and government forces directly affect the mobility of staff and access to services for beneficiaries in the areas concerned.
At the two dialysis centres in Al-Kasra and Abu Hamam run by Mehad, administrative activities have been temporarily suspended. Medical and security staff are on site to provide a limited service to patients, for whom continuity of care is vital.
Activities are also temporarily suspended at our Al-Sosa healthcare centre, at the Al-Herijiyah mobile clinic, and at the Al-Herijiyah primary healthcare centre, where the maternity service continues to operate on a limited basis.
At the national hospital in Raqqa, the movement of staff and patients has been made impossible, and radiology, laboratory and thalassaemia services have ceased, while the blood bank remains operational.
The Al-Karama and Abo Hamam centres have also suspended their services for security reasons. Finally, the Al-Hol maternity hospital continues to provide essential services despite the persistent security challenges.
As for the redeployment of Mehad’s mobile clinics to newly displaced populations in the Afrin region, they are due to start operating at the beginning of this week.
