A prolonged drought and a years-long civil war have plunged north-east Syria into a dire humanitarian crisis, with recent Turkish air strikes exacerbating the situation by cutting off access to water and electricity for over a million people.
Turkey has carried out more than 100 attacks on Kurdish-held territories between October 2019 and January 2024, targeting critical infrastructure such as oil fields, gas facilities, and power stations. The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which governs the area, accuses Turkey of trying to dismantle its existence, a charge Ankara denies, asserting instead that the strikes aim to undermine Kurdish separatist groups it considers terrorists.
The impacts of these attacks are catastrophic, particularly in Hassakeh province. The region’s primary water station in Alouk has been offline since October 2023, following strikes on electricity infrastructure that powered it. This has left over a million residents dependent on water deliveries from sources located 20 kilometers away.
“Water is more precious than gold here,” lamented Ahmad al-Ahmed, a tanker driver who delivers water to those in desperate need. Despite the hundreds of deliveries made daily, the quantity is insufficient. “People need more water,” he explained, describing heated disputes among residents vying for access. In Hassakeh city, some individuals have resorted to threatening tanker drivers to secure water.
The situation has drawn criticism from humanitarian experts. “North-east Syria is facing a humanitarian catastrophe,” said Yayha Ahmed, co-director of the Hassakeh water board. He noted that essential institutions such as schools, orphanages, and hospitals are given priority in water deliveries, but the broader population remains underserved.
The region’s challenges are multifaceted. Beyond the immediate impact of Turkish strikes, the area is grappling with a historic drought exacerbated by climate change. Years of poor water management and neglected infrastructure have worsened the crisis, as acknowledged even by Turkish officials.
However, many in the AANES argue that Turkey’s actions are not just tactical but also strategic, aimed at destabilizing the Kurdish-led administration. The AANES was established in 2018 after Kurdish forces, with backing from the US-led coalition, expelled the Islamic State (IS) group from the region. While the coalition continues to support the area to prevent an IS resurgence, Turkey regards the AANES as a “terror state” and its military force as an extension of the PKK, a group classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, the UK, and the US.
The January 2024 attacks targeted electricity transfer stations in Amouda, Qamishli, and Darbasiyah, as well as the Swadiyah power plant. The damage was extensive, as confirmed by satellite imagery, videos, and eyewitness reports. Night-time satellite imagery from NASA revealed a significant blackout following the strikes. “On January 18th, a significant power outage is evident in the region,” stated NASA scientist Ranjay Shrestha.
The humanitarian toll of these disruptions is mounting. Water scarcity is forcing communities to adapt in increasingly desperate ways. Residents rely on tanker deliveries for survival, but logistical challenges and limited supply cannot meet the demand. Engineers and drivers work tirelessly to bridge the gap, but their efforts only partially alleviate the crisis.
The international community faces a dilemma over addressing the crisis. Turkey’s actions, which some experts consider a violation of international law, highlight the ongoing complexities of the Syrian conflict, where local, regional, and global interests collide. Without urgent intervention, the situation in north-east Syria threatens to deteriorate further, leaving millions at risk of waterborne diseases, displacement, and starvation.
As the region struggles to recover from war and climate-induced drought, the plight of its people underscores the need for immediate humanitarian relief and long-term conflict resolution.
