Disabled 15-year-old Syrian brought to Turkey for treatment

By Omer Koparan and Ethem Emre Ozcan

AL-BAB, Syria (AA)- A 15-year-old Syrian boy -- who was disabled by a regime airstrike -- has arrived in Turkey for medical treatment.

After Anadolu Agency published an exclusive report on Mohammed Jamil Shahabi on June 10, Turkey-based hospital Romatem Health Group approached Turkey's Health Ministry and Gaziantep Governorship.

The hospital volunteered to treat Shahabi, and the government made arrangements to bring the boy and his mother from Syria to Turkey.

Shahabi, who lives with his mother and three siblings in the district of al-Bab in northern Syria, was injured by a flying shrapnel from an airstrike five years ago.

The boy, whose spinal cord and nerves were damaged in the attack, suffers from severe pain.

- 'Hoping to walk to Syria'

Shahabi told Anadolu Agency that he was happy at getting the treatment.

“I hope I will return (to Syria) in good health. I am coming to Turkey for treatment. I hope to return to Syria on foot.”

Shahabi’s mother said: "We would like to thank Turkey and Anadolu Agency for the treatment. May God be pleased with everyone who contributed. We look forward to your prayers for the recovery of Mohammed. I would like to thank Anadolu Agency for closely monitoring Mohammed's situation."

After entering Turkey through the Cobanbey border gate in the Elbeyli district of southern Kilis province, he set out to Samsun province to start his treatment.

Syria has been mired in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

Over the past decade, around half a million people have been killed and more than 12 million had to flee their homes.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan