SYRIA: Internal Security Forces patrol Tal Tamr to prevent violations of curfew

TAL TAMR, Syria – On the 16th day of the curfew imposed by the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria as a precautionary measure to prevent the novel coronavirus COVID-19 from spreading in the region, the markets and streets of the town of Tal Tamr in the Khabur Valley looked deserted. The only signs of life in what looked to be an otherwise haunted scene were the numerous patrols of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) and local traffic police.

Despite the curfew and the calm atmosphere, some violations of the curfew had taken place over the last two weeks. The ISF have detained numerous violators for hours at a time and have forced shops defying the curfew to close. During the DAA’s curfew, residents are supposed to remain confined to their homes at all times and only travel in public for the most urgent of reason.

The DAA has issued a number of new decisions including extending the curfew until 21 April 2020 and imposing financial penalties, and even arrest, on violators.