Autonomous Administration denounces war crimes by Turkey

The Humanitarian Office of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria condemned the Turkish attacks on the civilian population and labeled the interruption of the water supply as a war crime. The body issued an appeal to the UN.

The artillery attacks carried out by the Turkish jihadist occupation forces against Ain Issa in Northern Syria continued all Saturday.

In the evening, once again the Turkish forces targeted residential areas in the north of the small town. Against this background, the Humanitarian Office of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has issued an appeal to the UN and the international community.

The appeal underlined that Turkey is committing war crimes when targeting the civilian population. The attacks created a humanitarian crisis and people are being forced to flee.

The Autonomous Administration office also drew attention to the fact that the Turkish state has cut the water supply in the Hesekê area again. "Attacks on civilians and the disruption of water supplies are war crimes. We call on international humanitarian agencies to meet their responsibilities and ensure supplies to the civilian population and displaced persons."

The water supply to Hesekê is guaranteed by the Êlok (Alouk) pumping station in the Turkish-occupied area around Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ain). The water supply has been interrupted for about a month.

Approximately 1.2 million people are affected by the lack of water and 100,000 of them live in the refugee camps of Al-Hol, Erîşa and Wasokanî. At the time when the coronavirus pandemic is spreading, clean water is one of the most important goods. The Autonomous Administration tries to compensate for the water shortage with tank trucks.