Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Northeast Syria as Turkish Strikes Cut Off Water Supply

Turkish military actions targeting Kurdish-held regions in Syria have resulted in widespread access to water and electricity being cut off, exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis affecting more than a million people in Hassakeh. The region, already suffering from drought and a protracted civil war, faces claims of possible violations of international law due to the impact of these strikes on civilian infrastructure.

 

Turkish air strikes in drought-affected northeastern Syria have severed access to water and electricity for over a million people, elevating fears of a humanitarian catastrophe. The BBC has reported that Turkey has conducted more than 100 strikes on vital infrastructures, including oil fields and water stations, from October 2019 to January 2024, amid its ongoing conflict with Kurdish forces it designates as terrorists.

Residents of Hassakeh, who once depended on the Alouk water station, now face limited water access due to ongoing attacks that disrupted regional electricity supply. The water station has been inoperable since last October, compelling locals to rely solely on tankers delivering water from distant sources, which insufficiently meets their needs. Obliviously, chaos unfolds as families wait for deliveries, with some resorting to desperate measures over this life-sustaining resource.

As the international community grapples with the implications of these developments, Turkey maintains that its operations target specific groups and categorically denies any intent to strike civilian infrastructure. Turkish officials assert that pre-existing conditions, including climate change and poor water management practices, play significant roles in the crisis, rather than direct military actions.

Local authorities have sounded alarms about the dire circumstances, explaining that those living in Hassakeh feel abandoned amidst the ongoing conflict that intertwines local dynamics with broader geopolitical struggles involving the Kurdish community and Turkish interests. The worsening situation draws scrutiny from humanitarian organizations and legal experts, who suggest that Turkey's actions could constitute violations of international law as they disrupt water access, essential for basic survival in the region, this case could lead to charges of war crimes.

As the situation continues to evolve, the voices of the affected residents echo their plea for basic necessities, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering experienced in this beleaguered part of Syria.