The occupant Turkish state lowers the level of water flowing to North and East Syria through Euphrates River every day. According to the agreement signed between Syria and Turkey in 1987 regarding the Euphrates River, Syria’s share of water coming from Turkey is supposed to be 500 cubic meters per second (2500 barrels). However, less than 200 cubic meters of water now reach Syria.

Under the current circumstances, lowering of the water level has negative consequences in terms of living conditions of people, agricultural fields and power supplies in the region. Also, the water is gradually getting polluted. These incidents could cause critical diseases and humanitarian crises. 

‘THE LOWERED LEVEL OF THE WATER CAUSES DISEASES’

Speaking to ANHA on the subject, Dr. Hikmet Ehmed said, “According to an international agreement, people in the region are supposed to provide drinking water through the Euphrates. The Turkish state, however, pollutes the river, for which reason it can’t be used as drinking water directly. The Turkish state has connected the sewage systems of all cities to the Euphrates River. The water pollution is not seen when the amount is at certain level but the whole pollution comes into sight when the level decreases. This situation has negative consequences for human health and leads to emergence of some diseases such as diarrhea with the onset of summer. The water is 80 percent polluted at the moment.”

“WHY ARE THE GOVERNMENTS OF IRAQ AND DAMASCUS SILENT?”

Ehmed noted that especially children suffer from diarrhea, continuing, “If it continues like this, a critical humanitarian crisis might be experienced in the region. international human rights organizations should stop this crime by the Turkish state and shouldn’t allow Turkey to play with the lives of millions of people. Why are the governments of Iraq and Damascus silent? I condemn their silence. This case concerns and affects Iraq as much as Syria. The same threats and dangers stand for them as well.”

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