The Hesekê Canton Council unveiled that since the beginning of the invasion of Serêkaniyê (ar: Ras al-Ain) in 2019, the invading Turkish army and its mercenaries have cut off the drinking water of the Alouk Station 28 times.

The local residents therefore buy drinking water from local farmers for 7 to 8 thousand Syrian pounds. The people of the region shoulder a heavy burden along with the other costs of living.

Residents of Hesekê spoke to ANHA about the grievances they experienced due to the water cuts at the Alouk Station.

CITIZENS ARE THREATENED WITH WATER CUTS

Mihemed Hisên from Hesekê said that they had to pay for drinking water because of the water cuts. “It is not enough for them to fight us with their warplanes, they also use water as a weapon and cut it off.”

The Alouk Station delivers 2,000 cubic meters of water per hour to more than one and a half million people, camp residents and refugees from different parts of Syria in Hesekê, North and East Syria.

A citizen named Bashar El Ali said that their problems are increasing each passing day due to the water cut at the Alouk Station.

Hesekê Canton Council Co-Chair Xebat Silêman said that the drinking water coming from the Alouk Station hasn't been delivered to the city centre and countryside of Hesekê since the beginning of August after Turkey cut off the electricity and water lines.

MUNICIPALITY CANNOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM ALONE

The municipality has made efforts to provide drinking water to the residents of the city with its limited sources, yet failed to resolve the problem.

The main cables inside the Alouk station were burnt following the attacks of the Turkish invaders and their mercenaries on the electric cable lines. In the meantime, Turkish invading forces use drinking water, which is supposed to be delivered to Hesekê, to irrigate the fields.

According to international laws and agreements, cutting off water is a crime against humanity, and it is forbidden to use water as a weapon during conflicts. On July 10, 2010, the UN adopted the resolution that every individual has the right to have access to water as part of their human rights.

ALOUK STATION SHOULD BE RE-OPERATED

A citizen named Ali Hemdiş from Hesekê condemned the methods used by the invading Turkish state against the people of North and East Syria. “Water is a fundamental source of life and should not be cut off.”

Hemdiş condemned the UN's silence towards the crimes and violations committed by the Turkish occupation forces against the local people. He demanded that Turkey be punished, and the Alouk Station be re-operated.