AANES announces Syria’s Hasakah “disaster area” as Turkey cuts off water
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – On Monday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced Hasakah Governorate a disaster area because of Turkey’s water cut-off.
In a statement, the AANES accused Russia and the Syrian government of “complicity” regarding Turkey’s water cut-off.
Alouk water station, which lies in the city of Ras al-Ain (Sere Kaniye), is the only water resource feeding Hasakah and its countryside, however, the station is controlled by Turkey and its affiliated armed opposition factions, also known as the Syrian National Army (SNA).
In 2019, the Turkish forces and the SNA factions launched the so-called “Peace Spring” military operation where it occupied Sere Kaniye and its countryside.
“The city of Hasakah and its villages, the town of Tel Tamr in addition to the IDP camps of Washokani and Sere Kaniye are disaster areas where life is almost impossible,” said Issa Younes, co-chair of the Hasakah Water Directorate of the AANES.
Alouk water station witnessed frequent cut-offs by the Turkish army following its occupation of Sere Kaniye.
On Sunday, Younes said that Turkey has cut off water to more than a million people over 40 times since its occupation of Sere Kaniye, north of Hasakah.
On June 3, Alouk station resumed operation after an agreement, mediated by UNICEF, was reached that required the AANES to supply areas under the occupation of the Turkish-backed SNA with electricity in return for pumping drinking water from the station to the city of Hasakah.
He added that they have no choices but to accelerate the efforts to find solutions, calling for official parties and humanitarian organizations to avoid the repercussions of the horrible crisis.
“The continuity of this real disaster is the outcome of an agreement between Turkey and Russia blessed by the Syrian regime to stifle our people and eliminate their democratic project,” Younes noted. “It is a shame that the US has not shown any position so far. Both the US and the Coalition have to show their attitude as a moral duty.”