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

Summary

A 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.