Tigris River water level’s decline affects water resource in Dêrik

ISAM ABDULLAH – AMARA JUDY/ QAMIŞLO

The Tigris River is classified as part of the list of international rivers for its passing from its source to its mouth in three countries; Turkey, Syria and Iraq as the three countries are entitled to benefit equally from it according to the provisions of international laws and charters of the United Nations which deals with the protection of the rights of the international rivers water.

The Justice and Development Party Government (AKP) in Turkey has tried to eliminate the gains made by the Kurdish people in Rojava by preventing the villagers from cultivating their land, burning their crops, cutting rivers and dams. This is a continuation of its aggressive approach towards the Kurdish people in the four parts of Kurdistan.

The Turkish occupation has recently cut off the water of the Tigris River and manipulated the water level in an attempt to put pressure on the residents of the villages of Dêrik area on the western bank of the river.

The cut of water and the significant decline in water levels caused significant losses to farmers in the village of Ain Diwar in Dêrik area which is a self-sufficient agricultural village in al-Jazeera region due to its fertile soil and water availability, allowing the cultivation of all types of summer and winter crops.

The farmer Amsha Khalil said, "About 50,000 acres of farmland have been out of service as a result of cutting off the water. The Turkish occupation fired live bullets several times at the people and farmers who were harvesting their crops."

Amsha pointed out that these practices led to the deterioration of the living situation in the village which depends mainly on agriculture.

Amsha Khalil called on the international organizations to stop Turkish violations against the farmers, and added "Cutting off the Tigris River and its decline will lead to an environmental disaster in the area which is a direct threat to humanity."

"The water reaches the neighborhoods only once every three days”

"All fruit trees and ornamental trees withered and became dry as a result of the scarcity of water after the Turkish occupation deprived the people of watering their crops from the Tigris River which was the main nerve in the area.

The Justice and Development Government began filling Ileso Dam which was built on the Tigris River on 2 June which led to a significant reduction in the water level of the Tigris River in a move to put pressure on the neighboring countries through water policy, and many Iraqi cities that depend on agriculture witnessed disorders after the Turkish step to fill the dam.

H/S

ANHA