Escalation of Hostilities targeting Critical Civilian Infrastructures 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. Escalations in the conflict which began October 4, 2023 and dramatically increased on October 5, are severely impacting civilian lives and critical infrastructure.

On October 5, Northeast Syria experienced a significant increase in Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) strikes a day after infrastructure, superstructure, and energy facilities in Syria and Iraq had been pronounced as legitimate targets for security forces, armed forces and intelligence elements. Strikes witnessed in the past 24 hours have impacted cities across Northeast Syria, leading to major damages to critical civilian infrastructure, including water stations, power stations, farms and sites in direct vicinity of civilian villages and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) camps.

At the time of issuance, at least five civilians have been reported injured, while at least ten critical infrastructure sites have been reported as damaged, a total of 24 strikes have been recorded across Northeast Syria. Three of the attacks took place close to Washokani IDP camp, which houses over 16,000 displaced people. Attacks have occurred on or near roads frequently used by humanitarian workers in order to reach vulnerable populations. Representatives of many local and international Non-Governmental Organisations were present in the camp at the time of the strikes.

Any increase in hostilities will negatively impact the delivery of humanitarian aid in Northeast Syria. As of October 5, multiple organisations providing vital services limited their activities from routine to life-saving (i.e. primary health care). Continuation of service delivery for NGOs cannot be assured should the hostilities persist due to operational risks and safety concerns for staff and beneficiaries.

The attacks have now seen the Amuda and Qamishli north transfer station which serves over 90,000 people go offline, leaving people without access to water. Damage caused by the UAV on the gas pumping station enabling the provision of critical services from hospitals and bakeries and other critical infrastructure is now at risk. The critical Alouk water station is again offline due to severed access to electricity, impacting approximately 610,000 people.

The NES NGO Forum urges all parties to adhere to the principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL), which provide the protection of civilian lives, properties and infrastructures. Attacks on civilian objects constitute a breach of Customary IHL, invoking the obligation of other states to bring violations to an end. The NES NGO Forum calls on the international community to take immediate action to seek the cessation of hostilities, prevent further violations of international law, and enable humanitarian actors to provide necessary assistance for the growing needs of the Northeast Syrian population.