From  lively river to a dry stream

The Khabur River, the vital artery that once irrigated al-Hasakah city and its countryside, has been transformed into a barren wasteland lacking even the most basic necessities of life. Recent photos and videos show the completely dry stream, with the ground covered in thirsty cracks and the remains of withered fruit trees scattered across it, dead after being cut off from water.

The Khabur once supplied vast areas from the occupied city of Sere Kaniye/ Ras al-Ain, passing through Tal Tamr and all the way to al-Hasakah. Thousands of families relied on it for farming and livestock. Today, there is no trace of water, and only the groaning of the cracked earth can be heard.

The primary cause of this catastrophic drought, according to field observations and residents' testimonies, is the practices of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries, who cut off the river's water supply in late 2015. This was followed by the construction of primitive dams after the occupation of Sere Kaniye in 2019, which blocked the water and prevented it from flowing south.

The captured images and videos show the extent of the devastation in the region, with the riverbed appearing like a deep scar amidst the deteriorating agricultural lands, having lost their connection to the source of life.

These heartbreaking images deliver a stark visual message about a humanitarian and environmental crisis that requires urgent action.

T/S
ANHA