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HRW: Ankara Denying Water to Syrian Kurds as Coronavirus Escalates

Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Turkey is being accused of "weaponizing" water against
   Syrian Kurds amidthe coronavirus epidemic. Ankara is dismissing the
   accusation, however, as a "smear campaign."

   U.S.-based Human Rights Watch warned Tuesday that "Turkish authorities'
   failure to ensure adequate water supplies to Kurdish-held areas in
   northeast Syria is compromising humanitarian agencies' ability to
   prepare and protect vulnerable communities in the COVID-19 pandemic."

   The keyAlloukwater-pumping station is at the center of the controversy.
   HRW says that through March, the station worked only intermittently and
   now is closed again.

   Syrian forces backed by Ankara operate the water station that serves
   territory held by the Syrian Kurdish militia, the YPG, which is
   designated as terrorists by Ankara.

   In October, Syrian rebels backed by Turkish forces launched an
   offensive against the YPG, taking control of a large swathe of
   territory. Ankara claims the Kurdish militia is affiliated with the
   PKK, which is fighting a decade's long insurgency inside Turkey for
   greater minority rights.

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