5 water stations damaged in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor due to vandalism
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – An official of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) said on Tuesday that five water stations were robbed and sustained damages as a result of vandalism in the recent events in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.
Fawaz al-Atesh, head of the Water Facility, affiliated with Deir ez-Zor Civil Council of the AANES, said water stations of Sabha, Ko’attal, al-Jarzi, Diban and Daranj in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor were robbed and vandalized.
On Aug. 27, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” with the support of the US-led Global Coalition on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, “to eradicate ISIS sleeper cells, pursue criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population, and to track down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods.”
On Aug. 30, the SDF announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement “in multiple crimes and violations, including communication and coordination with external entities hostile to the revolution, committing criminal offenses and engaging in drug trafficking, mismanaging of the security situation, his negative role in increasing the activities of ISIS cells,” according to the SDF.
The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leaders and with Nawaf al-Bashir, leader of al-Baggara tribe and a pro-Iranian figure whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates which is under the control of the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.
As a result of the clashes, service were put on hold, whereas footage showed some facilities sustained damages due to acts of vandalism and robbery.
Al-Atesh noted that power transformers that feed the stations and batteries were stolen and burned, in addition to chlorine formulas, cables, windows and doors.
Footage circulated on social media platforms at the time of clashes showed severe damages in the Diban and Daranj water stations.
The official added they are working on providing the needed equipment to restore operation of the stations and pump water again.
The majority of water stations in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, Manbij and Tabqa suffer from weak water flow due to a decline in water levels of the Euphrates River after Turkey blocked water from crossing into Syria.