HRW: Turkish attacks exacerbate ongoing humanitarian crisis for millions

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report on the life-threatening situation in northern and eastern Syria as a result of the Turkish airstrikes. HRW notes that Turkey’s recent offensives have damaged critical infrastructure and cut off water and electricity to millions of people. People in the region are already facing a severe water crisis, and their struggle to access basic water supplies is being exacerbated by increased bombing. HRW stresses that the attacks jeopardize the right to water for nearly a million people, including residents and displaced communities.

Adam Coogle, HRW’s deputy Middle East director, said that by targeting critical infrastructure, including power and water stations, Turkey has flouted its responsibility to ensure that its military actions do not worsen the region’s already dire humanitarian crisis, adding: “People in al-Hasakeh city and its surroundings, already facing a severe water crisis for the past four years, must now also bear the brunt of increased bombardment and destruction, exacerbating their struggle to get essential water supplies.” The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) had already stated that the strikes had affected some 4.3 million people, with at least 18 water pumping stations and 11 power stations out of action.

This has led to poor sanitation and outbreaks of water-borne diseases, including cholera. Doctors say the number of civilians being hospitalized with acute diarrhea and gastric infections, which can be caused by waterborne diseases, is increasing and the number of cases is even exceeding the capacity of the hospital. In addition, kidney dialysis centers in hospitals need a constant supply of purified water.

HRW stresses that under the laws of war, Turkey and its proxies cannot target objects essential to the survival of the civilian population, including water and sanitation facilities. In addition, the human rights organization says that Turkey should ensure that the Alouk water station operates at optimum capacity, without deliberate interruptions to water pumping, and must guarantee regular access for qualified repair and maintenance teams. The Alouk water station came under Turkish control following the Turkish occupation in 2019. Since then, people living in the area governed by the Autonomous Administration have experienced prolonged interruptions to their water supply.