After occupying the city of Serêkaniyê in 2019, Turkish state forces and allied mercenaries cut off water supplies to wells connected to the Alouk Station in the city. Citizens in the cities of Hesekê and Til Temir, which are part of the Cizîr Canton of North and East Syria and rely on this station for drinking water, have been enduring great suffering and hardship for six years in order to secure drinking water.

With the arrival of summer and rising temperatures, citizens are facing increasing hardship and difficulties due to a shortage of drinking water. They are forced to use salt water from wells, but since this water is not drinkable, it is only used for household chores. As a result, citizens are forced to purchase water from tankers at high prices.

Speaking to ANHA, Asim Hemê, a citizen from Til Temir, said, “For about six years, the land stretching 130 km long and 50 km wide from Til Temir to Shaddadi has become arid and deserted. After its occupation of Serêkaniyê, the Turkish state cut off the water supply to the wells connected to the Alouk Station."

Asim Hemê emphasized that the relevant parties must fulfill their responsibilities regarding this dire situation, which, he said, is endangering the lives of approximately one and a half million people.

Xidir Hac Eyûb, a citizen living in Til Temir, said, “For six years, we have been forced to use undrinkable salt water from wells. We buy drinking water from tankers, which is very expensive. A barrel of water costs 35,000 Syrian pounds, which is not enough for two days. This is a serious burden on families.”

Hac Eyûb continued, “We are calling on the Autonomous Administration to find suitable alternatives to the wells in Alouk, as the situation is dire. Regional and international cooperation is needed to alleviate the suffering and hardships of the people.”

Til Temir Municipality is transporting water from wells in the village of Tel Erebûşê, south of the city, to supply drinking water. However, due to a decline in technical and logistical capabilities and vehicle breakdowns over the past six years, operations have been disrupted and water cannot be delivered to citizens as needed. As a result, the water crisis in the city and villages is worsening day by day.

Hemdiye Kûtî, Head of the Water Department at Til Temir Municipal Council, stated: “All citizens are aware that the groundwater in Til Temir is not drinkable, which is why we are bringing water from Til Erebûşê. Due to limited resources and increased demand for water during the summer months, we are unable to meet everyone’s needs.”

Kûtî added, “We call on the international community and human rights organizations not to remain silent, but to take urgent action against the violations committed by the occupying Turkish state and the cutting off of drinking water.”

Despite interventions by international organizations such as UNICEF over the past four years, the occupying Turkish state and its mercenaries have cut off water from the wells of the Alouk Station, which supplies water to the cities of Til Temir and Hesekê, 28 times. Water has been cut off since June 2023.