Escalation of Hostilities targeting Critical Civilian Infrastructure in Northeast Syria – Syrian Arab Republic

Disclaimer: This is a NES Forum product and shared from SIRF for information purposes.

The Northeast Syria (NES) NGO Forum calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease all hostilities in Northeast Syria (NES). The latest round of hostilities in the conflict began December 23, 2023 and dramatically escalated through December 26, severely impacting civilian lives and critical infrastructure. Strikes witnessed in the past four days have impacted cities across NES, leading to major damages of critical civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, power stations, fuel and oil facilities, farms, as well as sites in direct vicinity of civilian villages. At the time of issuance, at least eight civilians were killed and an undetermined number injured, while at least eight critical infrastructure sites have been reported as damaged. A total of 56 strikes have been recorded across NES, since December 23.

Health facilities, medical personnel, and patients must be protected by all parties to the conflict. Health facilities were heavily impacted in this recent round of escalation, with two health facilities struck on December 25. In Kobani/Ain Al Arab, Mishtanuer health facility reportedly witnessed three to four strikes, causing infrastructure and material damages worth 200,000 USD, according to the Health Department. An INGO, member of the NES Forum, is supporting this Health facility with technical support, medical materials and funding. In Qamishli, a health facility specialised in kidney dialysis and a separate medical oxygen factory reportedly sustained strikes.

Attacks have occurred on or near roads frequently used by humanitarian workers in order to reach vulnerable populations. A continuation of hostilities will severely impact the delivery of humanitarian aid in NES. As of December 27, multiple organisations providing vital services limited their movements following the multiple strikes along key routes of travel for staff. Continuation of service delivery by NGOs cannot be assured should the hostilities persist, due to operational risks and safety concerns for staff and beneficiaries.

According to initial reports, an electrical transfer station, two oil fields, two gas stations, and a fuel company have been struck. As a result, Sweidiyeh station, which was already significantly reduced due to the critical damages directly impacting the station in early October, is reportedly facing further reduced capacity. Additionally, electricity shortages have increased in some cities. Several oil fields, oil infrastructure, and the administrative offices of the main fuel company in NES have been struck multiple times over December 25 and 26. The infrastructure damage will have critical impacts to both the civilian population and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) camps, who rely heavily on fuel during the winter season.

Principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) provide the protection of civilian lives, properties and infrastructures. Attacks on civilian objects, especially health units, constitute a breach of Customary IHL, invoking the obligation of other states to bring violations to an end. The humanitarian response cannot sustain the level of damages increasing with each escalation of hostilities. Throughout this year, we have seen repeated strikes on critical infrastructure across NES, often rendering it out of service for prolonged periods. It is imperative that these attacks are condemned, critical infrastructure repaired and civilian lives protected.

The NES Forum calls on the international community to negotiate a political solution and end the repeated attacks on key critical civilian infrastructure. Investments made into NES and the humanitarian response are being repeatedly undermined and the safety of both civilian and humanitarian actors is increasingly at risk, with one humanitarian killed in November and eight civilians in this past round of escalation. In the absence of a political solution, the capacity of the humanitarian response to support the people of NES amidst not only protracted conflict but the repeated attacks witnessed since October 5 will be severely undermined.