On Thursday, the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in Aleppo, and announced they had launched a major humanitarian campaign to provide essential assistance to families who have fled from Aleppo to Afrin as a result of the ongoing conflict.

According to the BCF, a large number of refugees have sought safety in Afrin, amid ongoing clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish Asayish forces. According to preliminary figures, the number of displaced families has reached approximately 22,000.

“These developments threaten the safety of innocent people and increase the risk of forced migration. Tragically, such conditions expose women, children, and other vulnerable civilians to suffering and humanitarian crises,” the BCF said.

The BCF also called upon humanitarian agencies, organizations, the international community, charitable individuals in the Kurdistan Region, and the Kurdish diaspora abroad to support this humanitarian effort.

On Tuesday, heavy clashes broke out between Kurdish forces and Syrian government forces in Aleppo. As of Thursday, 12 civilians have been killed and 64 injured in the two Kurdish neighborhoods of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud, according to documented figures from the Kurdish Asayish in Aleppo.

According to the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC), the conflict so far has displaced 30,000 people. The IRC called on all parties to the conflict to immediately end the violence and ensure safe, sustained humanitarian access to people in need. 

“The international community must urgently intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and significantly increase funding to support life-saving assistance across Syria,” Juan Gabriel Wells, IRC Country Director for Syria, said. 

Read More: KRG Prime Minister Expresses Concerns Over Attacks on Syrian Kurds

Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday expressed concerns over attacks on Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo.

“The developments in Aleppo, and the targeting of Kurds in an effort to change the demography of the area and create threats to the lives of civilians, raise questions about the authorities in Damascus and the conscience of the international community,” he stated.

Read More: President Barzani Warns of Grave Danger to Kurdish Civilians in Aleppo

President Masoud Barzani on Wednesday also warned that the current heavy fighting between Syrian government forces and Kurdish Asayish forces could lead to ethnic cleansing against Kurds.