NGOs say Turkish strikes destroyed civilian infrastructure in NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Northeast Syria NGO Forum reported on Wednesday a series of Turkish airstrikes from October through December 2023, which have destroyed the civilian infrastructure relied upon by the population of northeast Syria.
The forum reported that electricity transfer stations, water stations, and gas and fuel plants have been targeted repeatedly.
In the recent escalations, Turkey has expanded its attacks to target key access routes frequently used by humanitarian actors.
In the first half of January, Turkey bombed a total of 89 sites, including civilian and service facilities and infrastructure, across northeastern Syria with 122 airstrikes, according to the Monitoring and Documentation Department of North Press.
With power and water infrastructure already critically damaged by October strikes, the current escalation devastated what was left of several key civilian infrastructure sites.
The NES NGO Forum calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease all hostilities in northeast Syria, and for the international community to acknowledge the contraventions of International Humanitarian Law occurring in the region.
The NES Forum calls on the international community to negotiate a political solution and end the repeated attacks on vital civilian infrastructure.
Investments made in the region and “the humanitarian response are being repeatedly undermined and the safety of both civilians and humanitarian actors is increasingly at risk,” the report read.