ENKS asks for pressure on Turkey over its cutting of water to NE Syria

(North Press) – The Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS, a group of Kurdish political parties allied with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Coalition) called on the US and Russia on Thursday to pressure Turkey to restart the flow of water from Alouk water station to the city of Hasakah.

“ENKS appealed to the US and Russia, as they have signed bilateral conventions with Turkey, to pressure it to continue pumping water to the city of Hasakah,” ENKS said in its statement.

“We call on the international community and the UN to be quick in delivering humanitarian assistance to the population of the region, and to guide international organizations and facilitate their works in order to do their duties in providing services and the required aid,” the statement added.       

The ENKS statement mentioned the Russian and Chinese veto against the Security Council project to create a mechanism of assistance through the Syrian borders without taking permission from the Syrian government, as it increases the suffering of the people.

Turkish forces have been cutting water to the city of Hasakah and its countryside since their takeover of the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) last year.

Alouk water station lies in the eastern countryside of the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), and consists of 30 artesian wells that pump water to the city of Hasakah and its countryside.

The UN previously accused Turkey of using water as a weapon against civilians and the displaced.