SORGUL ŞÊXO

Til Temir (Tell Tamer) – Since 2019, Turkey has cut off water flowing to North and East Syria. In Til Temir, where water shortages are severe, only five wells serve the region's 72,000 residents.

According to studies, every country in the Middle East and North Africa will face extreme water shortages by 2050. If temperatures rise by 4°C, freshwater availability in the region is expected to decrease by 75%. By the end of the century, many countries in the region are projected to warm by approximately 5°C. Countries most affected by climate change are often those least prepared to adapt, with Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan suffering from both conflicts and severe water shortages. Syria is also expected to face severe drought and water scarcity by 2050.

 Water crisis in North and East Syria

Water scarcity has become a major and urgent challenge in North and East Syria, affecting over five million people for more than five years. The region faces severe shortages due to declining water levels, damaged infrastructure, bombing, and deliberate targeting of water stations, which have reduced operational capacity.

The Euphrates and Tigris rivers, the area’s two main water sources, have seen significantly diminished flow. The Turkish state is accused of using water supplies — including the Elok (Alouk) water station, which serves more than five million people — as a tool of political pressure.

This prolonged drought has fueled the spread of diseases and placed immense strain on public health, especially impacting women and girls. Water is not only essential for life but also crucial to overall health. In Til Temir city and its surrounding rural areas, including refugees from Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ayn), Zirgan (Abu Rasin), Afrin, and Shehba, approximately 14,000 families (72,000 people) currently reside. Yusra El-Khidban from the Water Services Department shared insights on the crisis with our agency.

 ‘Occupation deepens water crisis’

Yusra El-Khidban identified the water shortage as one of the most fundamental and urgent issues facing women in North and East Syria, particularly in the Jazira Canton. She explained: “The occupation of Serêkaniyê and Girê Spi, along with the seizure of the Elok water station, has intensified the water crisis in the region by the occupying Turkish state. This crisis began there and has now lasted over five years, affecting more than five million people. Approximately 95% of those affected are women, which is why we are working hard to provide assistance.”

 

Serving thousands with only five wells

El-Khidban detailed the municipality’s efforts to support 14,000 families and displaced people: “Three wells supply free water to three villages. Additionally, two more wells provide water to refugees, city residents, and people in surrounding rural areas. Despite limited resources, we strive to serve our community. However, these are temporary solutions and cannot replace long-term, strategic planning.”

Proposed solutions

Yusra El-Khidban outlined efforts to tackle the water crisis: "We have streamlined the permit process to open water wells, requiring one well per three families. As desertification spreads, green areas are shrinking and nearly disappearing. The only viable solution amid the worsening crisis is to permit new well drilling. Our observations confirm groundwater is declining, and with ongoing drought and rising temperatures, this will escalate into a severe crisis."

El-Khidban urged urgent international intervention regarding the Elok station: "The Elok station issue is fundamentally a humanitarian concern. The UN and influential countries must act to resolve it, as its seizure by the occupying Turkish state has exacerbated the water crisis. Control of Elok is being used to pressure the people of North and East Syria."

’Water crisis deepens women’s psychological stress’

Fadiya El-Awed, a psychologist at the Martyr Amara Center, emphasized the mental health toll: "The entire community, especially women, is socially and psychologically affected by the water crisis. Scarcity has caused heightened psychological stress, emotional tension, and elevated levels of anxiety and depression among women. It has disrupted family life, social relationships, and contributed to increased gender-based violence and abuse."

El-Awed recommended solutions to address the crisis: "Protecting women’s rights and securing water resources must be prioritized across all circumstances—whether in peace or conflict. The current conditions highlight the urgent need to strengthen security and protection mechanisms.

Humanitarian organizations and local institutions should collaborate to implement water projects and bring water sources closer to civilian homes, reducing the burden on women who otherwise travel long distances to collect water. This strain causes significant psychological and physical stress and forces many women to abandon work or school."

5,000 cases reported in first eight months of 2025

Health statistics from Martyr Zaw Sing Hospital in Til Temir reveal that over 5,000 patients were admitted between January and July 2025 due to contaminated water use. Eight pregnant women lost their babies, and two others suffered infant loss due to fetal malformations. Among 126 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, 95 were women.

Two out of seven women experienced dehydration. First aid was provided to 532 patients, including 254 women. Kidney diseases affected 187 of 373 female patients. Gastroenteritis cases reached 1,288, with 764 women affected. Additionally, 140 cholera cases were recorded, 51 of whom were women. Nalîn Yunis from the Kurdish Red Crescent’s Health Awareness Unit highlighted the severe impact of water quality on public health.

Spreading diseases

Yunis attributed the surge in illnesses primarily to contaminated water sources: "Use of unknown water sources is the leading cause of diseases among women, children, and the general population. Common conditions include vaginal discharge, fungal infections, and other infections. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable, facing risks of fetal malformations and premature births."

She also stressed the environmental consequences of ongoing conflict: "Chemical weapons and war debris contaminating soil and water have created a serious environmental crisis. Over 14 years of conflict, the community has dug hundreds of wells. Water networks are clogged with lime or corroded, yet people continue to rely on this water. Without resolution, risks will escalate, leading to fetal malformations, infertility, and low birth weights."

Yunis concluded with practical recommendations: "Water filters are effective. Additionally, boiling water or exposing it to sunlight can help purify it."