The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

As water in Euphrates river reaches alarming low level | Water pumps put out of service in al-Raqqah and power outage lasts for long hours

Looming humanitarian crisis | Lives of two million and half people in the Syrian Jazeera at risk

Reliable sources in al-Raqqah province have told SOHR that the water pumps in Ma’adan Atiq, Ghanim al-Ali in eastern al-Raqqah, and Dabsi Affan in western al-Raqqah have been put out of service due to the ongoing drop in water level in the Euphrates river in al-Raqqha countryside, which is under control of regime forces, as Turkey continues retaining water running through its dams to Syria.

 

On the other hand, power outages have plagued the entire areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration because of the suspension of power turbines in the stations of al-Tabaqah dam.

 

According to SOHR sources, the city of al-Hasakah is suffering a blackout for the third consecutive day, as electricity is available for only two hours a day. Meanwhile, power outage in the other areas controlled by the Autonomous Administration lasts for long hours.

 

We, at the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, re-warn of an environmental catastrophe threatening food security in the Syrian Jazeera region and a humanitarian crises which poses a threat to nearly two million and half people in different areas in al-Raqqah, al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor and Kobani.

 

Yesterday, SOHR sources have reported that Turkey continued to reduce the amount of the Euphrates river water flowing from Turkish territory to the Syrian side, as water in the Euphrates river in Syria reached its lowest level which led to drought of underground wells and significant damage to the environment, livestock and agriculture in villages adjacent to the river. Accordingly, we, at the Syrian Observatory, renew our appeals to the United Nations, humanitarian organizations and all international actors to intervene immediately and exert pressure on the Turkish government to adhere to international agreements regarding the quantities of water supposed to reach Syria.

 

According to the agreement signed between Syria and Turkey in 1987 regarding the Euphrates River, Syria’s share of water coming from Turkey supposed to be 500 cubic meters per second (2500 barrels). However, less than 200 cubic meters of water now reach Syria.

 

Reliable sources had 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 would experience power outages for 17 to 18 hours every day. Meanwhile, “Energy Board of the Euphrates region” attributed the decrease in the electricity operating hours to the ongoing water retention by Turkey, as Turkey decreased the amount of water pumped to Syria via the Euphrates river.