Turkey deactivates 30 more water stations in Syria

Thirty more water stations have been deactivated in northeast Syria, as Turkey continues to cut off the water supply from the Euphrates River.

While many stations — including Hecin, which meets the water needs of 80,000 people, and Susê, which meet the needs of 45,000 people — are closed, most of the 36 water stations in Raqqa are no longer available. The al-Kerama and al-Hewa stations are completely closed, while the al-Shahir station is operating at 30 percent and the al-Reyaş station at 55 percent, reports Hawar News.

Turkey has previously cut off the water supply on several occasions, beginning after the invasion of Afrin and Serekaniye by Turkey and its affiliated militias. This situation caused serious crises in the region. If the water shortage continues, 200,000 people will not have access to water.

Due to cut-offs, seven stations that supply the drinking water of more than 114,000 citizens were already out of service in the Tabqa region, and in Kobanê two stations have been completely out of service for more than two months.

According to the statements of Kobanê Canton Water Director, Fehed Mihemed, the level of water is now at its lowest ever and 83 villages in the Kobanê Canton remain without water. Municipalities are now trying to distribute the water in barrels.

Previously the Energy and Communication Committee of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced that the Euphrates River’s water level had dropped to five metres.

However, according to the agreement signed between Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, Turkey has to allow 500 cubic metres of water per second into Syria.

The low water levels have led to accusations that Turkey is not complying with this agreement. Turkey is also accused of cutting the water supply as a war tactic.