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Turkish attacks cut water supply to Syrian province

Shelling by Turkey in northeastern Syria has damaged the main water station supplying Hasakah province, where thousands of people, including many fleeing the Turkish invasion to the north, are at risk of not having safe drinking water.

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Turkish soldiers stand on top of a tank in the border town of Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, Turkey, Oct. 11, 2019. — REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Civilians in Hasakah are running out of water more than a week after Turkish forces shelled the province's main pumping station, near Ras al-Ain (Sri Canet). The United Nations is negotiating with Ankara to allow repairs to the Aluk drinking water station, which officials of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) said Turkey targeted Oct. 10 with 10 shells. Three of the explosives fell on the station's pumping hall and hit power supply lines, knocking the plant offline.

Hasakah's Directorate of Water has warned that the water supply allocated for emergencies is running low. In addition to Hasakah residents, displaced people fleeing Turkish artillery and aerial bombardment of border areas are also being affected by the lack of water.

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