The Syrian Violations Documentation Center stated that dams built in Turkey have significantly reduced the amount of water reaching Syria, causing a major environmental and humanitarian crisis affecting hundreds of villages. In particular, the Yazıhan and Karaköy dams have dramatically reduced the water level in the Afrin River in recent months.

Accordingly, dozens of hectares of agricultural land were destroyed, hundreds of villages were left without access to drinking water, animals were killed, and many families were displaced as a result of the river water being cut off.

The Center emphasized that Turkey’s action was a clear violation of human rights and criticized the silence of the international community and the Syrian Interim Government.