Escalation of Violence in Northeast Syria: Health Centers Without Electricity

Published 22nd January 2024

The Northeast Syria NGO Forum (NES Forum), of which Doctors of the World is apart of, condemns an escalation of violence that has significantly impacted the civilian infrastructure, crucial for the population in this region. Power plants, water stations, and gas and fuel facilities have been repeatedly targeted.

NES Forum’s Urgent Appeal for International Action

The latest surge in attacks has expanded its targets to include frequently used routes by humanitarian personnel. With water and electricity infrastructure severely damaged in the October attacks, the current escalation has further devastated what remained of several essential civilian infrastructures.

Between January 13 and 16, 2024, 40 confirmed attacks have occurred across northeast Syria, resulting in at least six civilians injured in this escalation alone. Additionally, at least 26 key buildings and structures have been impacted or are out of service. At the peak of the escalation on January 15, 92% of humanitarian actors providing vital services, including health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene, reported movement restrictions in the region.

The NES Forum calls on all parties in the conflict to immediately cease all hostilities, and urges the international community to recognize the violations of International Humanitarian Law occurring in northeast Syria.

The principles of international humanitarian law and human rights ensure the protection of lives, properties, and civilian infrastructure. Attacks on civilian persons and property constitute a violation of customary international humanitarian law, compelling states to end such violations. Humanitarian organisations cannot respond adequately to the level of devastation caused by each escalation of hostilities. Condemning these attacks, repairing damaged infrastructure, and protecting civilian lives are essential.

Impact of Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure: A Detailed Assessment

The damage to the energy infrastructure from this recent round of airstrikes will further limit civilian access to water and electricity. In this round, six power plants were impacted, and the significant Swediyeh fuel station, serving over 920,000 people, is now completely inoperative. Four electricity transfer substations in Hasakah are also entirely out of service. This has isolated the Alouk water station from the grid, rendering 96 wells inoperable and putting the remaining 80 at risk of running out of fuel, jeopardising water access for over 815,076 inhabitants in northeast Syria.

Numerous facilities dependent on Swediyeh’s supply, including water stations, health infrastructure, and other vital services, are now without electricity. Over 38 bakeries have ceased operations, along with various silos and mills. Swediyeh was also the sole gas producer in NES, causing an immediate halt in gas production for cooking. An attack on a transfer station in Ain Al Arab resulted in a widespread blackout in the city, 400 surrounding villages, and 150 villages in Ain Issa. Over 1 million inhabitants in eleven major cities and towns, as well as more than 2,750 villages and 1,900 schools, are now without electricity.

The risk of not having access to clean water, cooking and heating fuel could lead to avoidable deaths. The transportation of essential items like medical supplies and food baskets, as well as the supply of energy to key facilities such as health centers and medical equipment operation, will also be affected.

The attacks have also led to the suspension of diesel and kerosene production and distribution, the most commonly used fuels for winter heating. The national oil provider announced on January 16 that all fuel operations and production have been suspended, leaving no fuel available or in the distribution process, even in the facilities of the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria (AANES). There are already reports of shortages in the Jazeera region, where generators are running on reduced schedules.

Displaced persons’ camps were notified on January 15 of an indefinite and immediate suspension of fuel distribution, leaving residents without means to cook or heat in the coming days. Additionally, thousands of farmers rely on fuel to operate irrigation equipment, threatening fragile food security and livelihoods in the region.

Challenges Faced by Humanitarian Organisations in the Current Context

Even humanitarian organisations themselves will face increasing difficulties in providing the much-needed support to communities as resources dwindle and costs rise. The scarcity, heightened operational risks, and security concerns for both staff and beneficiary populations will be such that the continuity of NGO service delivery cannot be guaranteed without a resolution to the current limitations or a cessation of hostilities.

The damage suffered by civilian infrastructure to date cannot be repaired solely within the humanitarian response framework. Organizations are constrained by both limited resources and political restrictions. The nature of the destruction necessitates large-scale repairs, and the impact of sustained losses of electricity, fuel, and water cannot be addressed with programs already stretched to meet the needs of a population that has been suffering for years.

The NES Forum appeals to the international community to negotiate a political solution and end the ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure. Investments in the region and the humanitarian response are repeatedly undermined, and the safety of both civilians and humanitarian personnel is increasingly at risk.

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