URFA - Cizîr Region Energy and Fuel Committee Co-chair Ahîn Siwêd stated that cutting the Euphrates River is a continuation of the attacks against Northern and Eastern Syria, and said that Turkey uses water as a tool for war.

 

As a result of Turkey reducing the water flowing from the Euphrates River to Northern and Eastern Syria, 30 water stations were disabled in the region. According to the agreement signed between Turkey, Iraq and Syria in 1987, Turkey is obliged to let 500 cubic meters of water flow to Syria per second. Reducing the water level day by day causes serious health, agriculture and industry crises in the region.

 

Ahîn Siwêd, Co-chair of the Cizre Region Energy and Fuel Committee, evaluated the effects of the decrease in the occupancy rates in the dams on the energy field and the reflections of the reduced water on agriculture and health.

 

INCREASE IN THE COVID CASES

 

Stating that the water level has decreased by 4-5 meters in Rojava, Tebqa and Azadî dams, which are the largest dams in the region since January 27, Siwêd said that many problems have arisen with the decrease in the water level. Siwêd said, "The world is struggling with coronavirus, but the number of cases are increasing in North East Syria with the reduction of water. The places where the number of coranavirus cases has increased are settlements close to the Euphrates water. Besides effecting the health of the people living in the region, reducing the water effects the agriculture too. There are serious issues with the drinking water as well as producing energy."

 

'IT IS A CONTINUATION OF THE ATTACKS'

 

Stating that water was used as a tool of war, Siwêd said, “Even in world wars, nobody used water and bread as a tool of war. Turkey uses water as a tool for war violating all agreements. This is a continuation of the attacks on Afrin, Serekaniye and Girê Spî. This attack is an attack on agriculture, the livelihood of 5 million people and their health. Also, something to be expected from Turkey, to tell the truth. For years, Turkey has seen the people of the region as a threat to itself."

 

Reminding the agreement signed between Turkey, Iraq and Syria in 1987 regarding the water level, Siwêd said, “It is clear which country will buy how much water. Reducing water level is effecting Iraq too. Iraq must demand the water they have a right to have. However, so far international states, human rights organizations and Iraq have remained silent. As the people of North and East Syria, we condemn them for their silence. Water should never be used as a tool of war.

 

CALL FOR AWARENESS  

 

Underlining that the water level in the Euphrates have never decreased this much in history, Siwêd said: "If this situatiion continues, the diseases will increase. The trees will dry out. The climate will change. Turkey must be stopped before these happen. Say something against this. We are calling to the human's rights organizations: They are denying the people the water which they have a right to. International human rights organizations must do what they promise to when they said, "We will defend the rights of humanity." The waters of the rives should not flow according to the political decisions of states."

 

MA / Emrullah Acar