The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Euphrates river’s crisis | SOHR renews its calls for UN and international community to exert pressure on Turkish government to raise Euphrates water level flowing into Syria in accordance with international agreements

As the Turkish side continues to reduce the amount of the Euphrates river water flowing from Turkish territory to the Syrian side, reaching its lowest level and the drought in underground wells and significant damage to the environment, livestock and farmers in villages adjacent to the river, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights renews its call for the United Nations, humanitarian organizations and international actors to exert pressure on the Turkish government to return to international agreements regarding the quantities of water agreed to be supplied to the Syrian side.

According to an agreement between Syria and Turkey in 1987 regarding the Euphrates River, Syria’s share of water coming from Turkey was 500 cubic meters per second, equivalent to 2,500 barrels. However, the water currently received is less than 200 cubic meters per second.

Few days ago, reliable sources told SOHR that the “Energy Board of the Euphrates region” adopted a new system of electricity rationing, decreasing the electricity operating hours in areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration, from Ain al-Arab (Kobani) and Sarin in Aleppo countryside to Ain Issa and Tel Abyad countryside in al-Raqqah countryside. According to the new system, these areas will experience power outages for 17 to 18 hours every day. Meanwhile, “Energy Board of the Euphrates region” has attributed the decrease in the electricity operating hours to the ongoing water retention by Turkey, as Turkey has decreased the amount of water pumped to Syria via the Euphrates river.