EBÎR MUHEMED

Qamishlo- On December 23, 2023, the Turkish state carried out attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including health centers, power and water stations in North and East Syria. 10 civilians were killed in the attacks. On the same day, Turkish drones targeted the dialysis center, which was opened in Qamishlo by the Cizre Canton Health Board in October 2021. In the attack, a patient identified as Ehmed Ebdulrehman Xidir was killed.

‘We suspended the service due to the attacks’

Rafie Abbas, manager of the dialysis center, told NuJINHA that the dialysis center provided service to 130 people with kidney disease from different areas of the region.

“We provide service free of charge. After our dialysis center was targeted by Turkish drones, we suspended the service. The center provides service again but there are still damaged parts. The center uses 20,000 liters of distilled water every day for the treatment of patients. Our water station was also damaged in the attack. That’s why we can provide service to only emergency patients. We have been rebuilding the center so that we can provide service to all patients.”

‘The Turkish state should be stopped’

 65-year-old Cemîle Derwîş is a kidney patient receiving treatment at the center two days a week for more than a year. Defining the Turkish attacks on North and East Syria as “inhumane”, she said:

“Health centers are targeted. The dialysis center was damaged in the Turkish attack. We have to receive treatment at the center despite the death risk. Now, I am receiving treatment at the center targeted by the Turkish state. Targeting health centers is the violation of convention, it is a war crime. The Turkish state should not go unpunished. The Turkish state should be stopped.”