Table of Contents
Turkish Strikes Exacerbate Humanitarian Crisis in Northeast Syria
Overview
In recent weeks, Turkish Armed Forces have conducted drone strikes on Kurdish-held areas of northeast Syria, resulting in significant damage to critical infrastructure and widespread disruptions to water and electricity supplies. These attacks have further compounded an already dire humanitarian crisis, leaving millions of people in the region without access to essential utilities. Human Rights Watch has called on Turkey to immediately halt its targeting of crucial infrastructure necessary for the well-being of residents in these areas, including power and water stations.
The Impact of Turkish Strikes
Between October 5 and 10, 2023, Turkey carried out numerous drone strikes on more than 150 locations in the governorates of al-Hasakeh, Raqqa, and Aleppo. These strikes resulted in the destruction of water and electrical power stations, leading to a complete cutoff of water and electricity supply in al-Hasakeh governorate. The attacks also caused damage to critical oil installations and the only operational gas plant in northeast Syria.
As a result of these disruptions, an estimated 4.3 million people in northeast Syria have been affected, with at least 18 water pumping stations and 11 power stations rendered non-operational. The Sweidiya power plant, which provides electricity to over one million people, and the north Qamishli electricity transfer station, supporting 40,000 families, were among the targeted facilities. The attacks have left these critical infrastructure unable to function, resulting in a complete disruption of both power and water supply services.
The consequences of these attacks are particularly devastating in al-Hasakeh city, which has been grappling with a severe water crisis since Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria in 2019. The water supply dispute, combined with the recent destruction of infrastructure, has left residents and displaced communities struggling to access clean water.
The Right to Water and Responsibility of Governments
The targeting of critical infrastructure, such as water and power stations, by the Turkish Armed Forces in northeast Syria is a clear violation of the laws of war. Under these laws, parties to an armed conflict, including Turkey, are prohibited from attacking or destroying objects necessary for the survival of the civilian population, including water distribution and sanitation facilities.
Moreover, governments and de facto authorities have a responsibility to ensure that people under their jurisdiction or responsibility have access to sufficient, safe, and affordable water for personal and domestic use. Turkey, as the occupying force in the region, should guarantee the operation of the Alouk water station at optimum capacity and refrain from purposeful interruptions to water pumping. It should also facilitate the regular access of qualified repair and maintenance teams to the station. Additionally, Turkey and other parties to the conflict should engage with the United Nations’ efforts to establish a monitoring mechanism and ensure the effective operation and maintenance of the Alouk water station and Derbasiyeh electricity substation.
The Alouk Water Station
The Alouk water station, which fell under Turkish control after the 2019 military incursion into northeast Syria, has been plagued by ongoing interruptions in its operation. Turkey has failed to operate the station at full capacity, while the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration has withheld the electricity needed to power it. The lack of a safe and sufficient water supply has forced people in the region to rely on unsafe sources, increasing the risk of water-borne illnesses such as cholera.
The Alouk station, when operating optimally, can provide sufficient safe drinking water to al-Hasakeh city and its surrounding areas. However, due to Turkey’s inadequate operation of the station, the water flow is intermittent and insufficient to meet the needs of the population, particularly the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people living in camps and temporary shelters.
The operation of the Alouk water station is dependent on electricity from the Derbasiyeh electricity substation, which is controlled by the autonomous administration. Disagreements between Turkey and the autonomous administration over the supply of electricity to the station have led to frequent electricity cuts, further undermining its capacity to provide water to the region.
Recommendations
To alleviate the humanitarian crisis in northeast Syria, it is imperative for Turkey to immediately cease its targeting of critical infrastructure and ensure the uninterrupted supply of water and electricity to the affected areas. Turkey should engage in meaningful dialogue with the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration and the United Nations to reach lasting solutions that guarantee the operation of the Alouk water station at optimal capacity.
Furthermore, the international community should pressure Turkey to fulfill its obligations under the laws of war and ensure the rights of the civilian population in northeast Syria are protected. Humanitarian organizations, such as the United Nations and relevant aid agencies, should provide immediate assistance to address the urgent water and electricity needs of the affected population.
It is crucial to recognize that access to clean water is a basic human right, and failure to ensure this right has severe consequences for public health and well-being. The international community must not turn a blind eye to the violations committed by Turkey in northeast Syria, and instead, take decisive action to hold those responsible accountable and provide the necessary support to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.
<< photo by Jim Strasma >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.