The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has made known the severe repercussions of the Turkish military’s offensive in the region from 5 – 9 October. The AANES expressed its condemnation of Turkey’s actions, aimed at destabilising the region’s security and undermining the administration’s efforts towards economic and service reality improvement, in a statement on Wednesday.
During the offensive in question, “more than 5 million citizens were affected due to targeting of the oil sector, including gas and petroleum services, with a total of 17 key oil sites being targeted”, the statement said. Among the significant sites hit was the Sweidiyah power station, vital for electricity and gas supply across North and East Syria.
Furthermore, the Turkish military allegedly targeted 11 electricity-generating power stations, causing a ripple effect that impacted more than 2 million people in various areas including Hasakah (Hesekê), Amuda (Amûdê) and Rmelan (Rimêlan), according to the statement.
The AANES reported that neither did Turkey spare the water facilities, targeting two significant water facilities, disrupting 18 pumping stations in the Jazira region (Herêma Cizîrê). The strategic Allouk pumping station in Ras al-Ayn (Serêkaniyê), crucial for Hasakah and its countryside, ceased operations as a result.
The healthcare sector also took a hit, with two hospitals in Jazira and in Kobani (Kobanê) going completely out of service. The educational sector saw the targeting of 48 schools, affecting thousands of students, with two children killed and another losing both legs.
The statement also highlighted the destruction of industrial facilities and a specialised anti-narcotics training academy in Rmelan, labelling the actions a blatant attempt to hinder the ongoing war against drug-related issues in the community.
The extent of the aggressive strikes included 580 aerial and ground strikes covering a broad spectrum of the self-administration areas from Derik to Shahba between 5 – 9 October. The offensive resulted in 44 fatalities and 55 injuries including civilians and security forces personnel, 29 of whom were anti-narcotics operatives.
Condemning the offensive, the AANES called for the international community, the UN Human Rights and Security Councils and civil and community actors to take clear stances against Turkey’s actions, which it deems outright war crimes. The statement also extended condemnation to the recent attacks on hospitals in Gaza, drawing a parallel between the violent acts and calling for dialogue to resolve issues.
Reiterating their commitment towards ensuring stability and countering terrorism, AANES urged all contributing organisations and entities to cooperate by redoubling their rehabilitation efforts to restore the destroyed facilities and ensure stability.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) reveals the extensive damage inflicted by the Turkish military’s aggressive strikes between 5 – 9 October.
| Damage Category | Details |
| Affected Citizens | Over 5 million |
| Oil Sector | Key sites targeted: 17, including Sweidiyah station |
| Electricity | Stations targeted: 11, affecting over two million people |
| Water Facilities | Major sites targeted: two, disrupting 18 stations |
| Healthcare | Hospitals: two out of service in Jazira and Kobani |
| Education | Schools targeted: 48, two children killed, one injured |
| Industrial Facilities | Sites out of service: three |
| Anti-Narcotics Academy | Entire academy in Rmelan destroyed |
| Aerial and Ground Strikes | From Al-Malakiyah (Dêrik) to Shahba (Şehba) 580 strikes |
| Fatalities | Including civilians and security personnel: 44 |
| Injuries | Including civilians and security personnel: 55 |
