Turkish drone strikes on multiple infrastructure facilities hit over 60 sites in the Kurdish-led north and northeastern regions of Syria. The strikes completely destroyed all power stations and most of the region’s oil production facilities, leaving some two million people without electricity and water.
The attacks killed 12 people and wounded 12 others, local news agency Hawar (ANHA) reported.
The destruction of critical infrastructure has had a profound impact on the affected areas, leading to complete power outages in major cities such as Qamishli (Qamishlo), Hasakah (Hesekê) and Derik (Dêrika).
While an official statement on the extent of the damage caused by the offensives has yet to be released, significant material damage has been inflicted on the region. Many parts of the city have been left without electricity and water. Most recently, the Sweida (Siwêdikê) power plant in Derik was targeted for the fifth time, causing disruptions to the electricity and water systems and affecting essential services.
Situated in the Jazira (Cizîrê) region, Sweida is the largest gas and electricity plant, serving the energy needs of the entire region. The bombing of Sweida has left its two million inhabitants without electricity.
Farhad Shami, the head of the Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) media and information office, shared footage of the bombed energy facility and said the attack had knocked the station out of service.
Five central hospitals in Derik, Qamishli, Amuda, Hasakah and Shedda, as well as 15 private hospitals and 35 health centres, normally provide medical services to hundreds of people every day. However, as a result of the bombing, these health facilities have no electricity supply.
While generators are being used to alleviate the problem, the provision of services is becoming increasingly difficult: all water stations in the Jazira region rely on electricity to operate, with many of them receiving power from the Sweida power station. As a result, the strikes and power cuts have caused most water stations to cease operations. Around two million people and many services are currently facing water shortages.
Shelling in Derik has also rendered a COVID hospital there unusable. The destruction of the hospital, which was bombed late Thursday, was evident as the day dawned.
In attacks that continued on Thursday night and throughout Friday, a Turkish drone also targeted a position held by Damascus government forces in the Sherawa district, injuring one of their members.
