NEWS CENTER - Not complying with the international commitments and agreements, Turkey cut three-fifth of the Euphrates River water flowing to North and East Syria which caused serious problems in the area.

 

North and East Syria government told that Turkey did not compluy with its commitments regarding the Euphrates River water. According to the agreement made between Turkey, Syria and Iraq, the three countries must benefit equally from the water. However, it was stated that Turkey violates the agreement. 

 

Under an agreement on July 17, 1987 between Syria and Turkey, Turkey must allow more than 500 cubic meters of water per second into Syria border. However Turkey reduced this water to below 200 cubic meters.

 

According to the agreement signed in Iraq on April 17, 1989, Iraq's share in the Euphrates River was 58 percent and Syria's share was 42 percent which is equal to 6 billion 627 cubic meters for Syria, 9 billion 106 cubic meters for Iraq and 15 billion 700 cubic meters for Turkey.

 

The Euphrates River is the main livelihood of Syria's Raqa and Deir ez-Zor cities, as well as providing water to Aleppo, the country's second largest city. Approximately 400 thousand hectares of agricultural land and orchards around the Euphrates River in Northern and Eastern Syria are also irrigated from this river. According to the farmers living on the waterfront, if Turkey keeps cutting the water flowing to the region, the people living in the region will not be able to grow vegetables and fruits and will be seriously effected in terms of livelihood.

 

It is stated that the substantial reduction of the Euphrates water at the end of February this year has also adversely affected the electricity generation. The General Directorate of Dams in North and East Syria announced on March 2 that the Tişrin Dam has decreased to 70/320 cubic meters and the water rate of the Euphrates decreased to 70/301 cubic meters.

 

In its statement, the administration pointed out that water shortage is very dangerous, emphasizing that this will increase the rate of pollution and accelerate the spread of diseases among people. In addition, it was recorded that about 9 million people's drinking water was provided from the Euphrates.