Turkish strikes in Syria cut water to one million people | BBC News

BBC News
19 Nov 202403:35

Summary

TLDRA BBC investigation reveals that Turkey’s military actions in northeast Syria, particularly attacks on infrastructure, have contributed to a worsening water crisis. The river Kabur, once a vital water source, has dried up, and the Aluk wells, seized by Turkey in 2019, no longer provide a stable water supply to the city of Haka. Turkey's bombing of key electricity facilities, including the Suedia Power Station in October 2023, has left nearly a million people without reliable access to water or electricity. Human rights lawyers suggest these actions may violate international law, while Turkey defends its actions as self-defense against the PKK.

Takeaways

  • 😀 Human rights lawyers have warned that Turkey's actions in Syria could violate international humanitarian law.
  • 😀 Turkish attacks on infrastructure in Northeast Syria have exacerbated a severe water crisis in an already drought-stricken region.
  • 😀 The Kabur River, once a primary water source for Haka, has dried up due to extreme drought caused by climate change.
  • 😀 The city of Haka turned to the Aluk wells for water, but these were taken over by the Turkish military in 2019 during its fight against the PKK.
  • 😀 Following the Turkish seizure of the Aluk wells, Haka now relies on water brought in by tankers, which are insufficient to meet demand.
  • 😀 In October 2023, Turkey bombed the region’s main power station, worsening the water crisis by cutting off electricity needed for water pumping.
  • 😀 The power station that Turkey bombed supplied electricity to almost a million people and also powered the Aluk water station.
  • 😀 As a result of infrastructure destruction, nearly a million people in Haka are without a direct water supply.
  • 😀 Turkey justifies its military actions as self-defense against the PKK, but independent reports found no evidence of PKK bases near the bombed infrastructure.
  • 😀 Human rights lawyers suggest that Turkey’s attacks on essential civilian infrastructure, including water and electricity facilities, could be considered severe violations of international law.

Q & A

  • What is the main issue highlighted in the BBC investigation regarding Turkey's actions in Northeast Syria?

    -The main issue is that Turkey's attacks on infrastructure in Northeast Syria have contributed to a severe water crisis in the region, which is already suffering from extreme drought conditions.

  • How has the river Kabur in Northeast Syria been impacted by climate change?

    -The river Kabur, once the primary water source for Haka, has dried up due to extreme drought caused by climate change, leaving the area without a reliable water supply.

  • What alternative water source did the people of Haka turn to after the river Kabur dried up?

    -After the river Kabur dried up, the people of Haka turned to the Aluk Wells, which provided water through a piping system into the city.

  • What role did the Turkish Army play in the situation surrounding the Aluk Wells?

    -In 2019, the Turkish Army seized control of the Aluk Wells during a military incursion against the PKK, severely disrupting the water supply to Haka.

  • What is the current situation regarding Haka’s water supply?

    -Currently, Haka depends on unreliable water sources brought in by tankers, as there is no longer a consistent water supply from the Aluk Wells due to Turkish control and military actions.

  • Why is the situation in Haka particularly dire during the hot weather?

    -During the hot weather, the demand for water increases significantly, but the available supply from tankers is insufficient to meet the needs of the population, creating a crisis for residents.

  • What happened in October 2023 that further exacerbated the water crisis in the region?

    -In October 2023, Turkey bombed the region's main power station, Suedia, which had powered the Aluk water station, further crippling the water supply and leaving nearly a million people in Haka without access to reliable water.

  • What was the impact of the bombing of the Suedia Power Station on the local population?

    -The bombing of the Suedia Power Station resulted in a loss of electricity and water supply to nearly 900,000 people, worsening the already dire situation in the region, with people lacking access to water, bread, and health services.

  • What has Turkey's government said regarding its military actions in the region?

    -Turkey's government has stated that its military actions target PKK terrorist facilities, asserting that it has the right of self-defense and that it prioritizes civilian safety while observing international humanitarian law.

  • What have human rights lawyers said about Turkey's actions in Northeast Syria?

    -Human rights lawyers have indicated that Turkey's attacks on water and electricity infrastructure in Northeast Syria could be a severe violation of international humanitarian law, as they are causing significant harm to civilians.

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Related Tags
TurkeySyriaHuman RightsWater CrisisInternational LawPower AttacksPKKDroughtMiddle EastClimate ChangeBBC Investigation