Foreign Ministry condemns the crime of the Turkish regime in cutting off drinking water of the people of Hasaka

On August 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing crime committed by the Turkish regime by cutting off drinking water for more than a million Syrian citizens in the city of Hasaka , stressing that cutting the water of citizens is a war crime and a crime against humanity under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions related to the situation of civilians wartime.

“ The Turkish regime and its tools, with the blessing of the American administration and terrorists on the American and Turkish sides, have used water as a weapon of war against Syrian civilians, including women, children, elderly and disabled persons, for inhuman political purposes, by agreeing to cut off drinking water from the water station of Alouk more than 16 times during the last months, with the duration of the water cuts ranging between one and several weeks,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry added that on this day, the water cuts  for the people of the city of Hasaka , which has exceeded two weeks comprising of unbearable suffering in light of extreme fear of the outbreak of the Corona virus.

The Ministry stated that the Syrian state, the governorate of Hasaka’s officials and Syrian humanitarian organizations honorably assumed their responsibilities in facing this disaster, as drinking water and water needed for general cleanliness were secured for most of the citizens, but the needs exceed all expectations and capabilities due to the Turkish and American occupations of the northern and eastern regions of Syria.

“ The Syrian Arab Republic warns of the continuation of this disaster and warns the parties that claim to be keen on international humanitarian law and the lives of civilian citizens against the consequences of the continued use of water as a means of warfare, especially since the lives of many people in Hasaka have become seriously threatened,” the Ministry said

The Ministry said that Syria calls on those who have raised voices , including the United Nations’ organizations, especially the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid, to be at the level of responsibility and demonstrate its respect for the United Nations Charter and international law, and the same applies to the countries and leaders of the European Union.

The Ministry  concluded its statement by saying: Syria reiterates that the disasters and tragedies in the governorate of Hasaka have embodied the objectives of the Turkish military occupation and the American military occupation of Syrian lands

“ the alliance of the Turkish military occupation forces and the American occupation forces with terrorists from “ISIS” and “Al-Nusra Front” and the “SDF” and other terrorist organizations is nothing but an aggression against the sovereignty and independence of Syria and a gross violation of the principles of international law and the provisions of the United Nations Charter,” the Ministry said. 

“ And the time has come for this occupation to end.”

O. al-Mohammad