The ongoing electricity and water cuts in Kobanê, one of the resistance cities of Northern and Eastern Syria, are causing serious concern internationally. More than 100 people and groups, including artists, journalists, activists, lawyers, and collectives, issued a joint statement drawing attention to the link between Turkey’s cross-border policies and the attacks and de facto occupation by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
This statement emerged from an international call initiated by the Heidelberg-based collective Dis/kontinuitäten. People and collectives from Europe, Turkey, and Kurdistan responded to the call. This collective effort, identifying itself as a peace delegation, addressed the public.
The statement emphasized that disabling Kobanê’s electrical infrastructure and blocking access to water sources is clearly in violation of international humanitarian law. Signatories noted that these measures amount to a de facto embargo, systematically violating civilians’ fundamental right to life. The joint statement also noted that HTS’s military attacks and expansion of de facto control zones target self-administration areas, directly and destructively impacting the civilian population.
According to the statement, the destruction of infrastructure and cutting off essential resources has surpassed the military dimension of the conflict and has turned into a practice of collective punishment. “The cutting off of electricity and water is explicitly prohibited under modern laws of war. Depriving the people of Kobanê of these essential resources is a deliberate policy targeting civilians,” the statement said, recalling the Geneva Conventions and the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Turkey is a party.”
On behalf of the peace delegation, the statement issued urgent calls to the European Union, United Nations, and relevant international institutions, including:
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Independent investigation and immediate intervention regarding HTS attacks and de facto occupation attempts around Kobanê
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Recognition of attacks on civilian infrastructure as war crimes and immediate cessation of such practices
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Examination of Turkey’s cross-border operations and their impact on civilians under international law
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Bringing the humanitarian crisis caused by the disregard for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) to the international agenda
One of the assessments in the statement reads:
“Leaving Kobanê without electricity and water is part of a systematic destruction targeting women and children in Rojava. This is not a security measure; it is a political choice aimed at subjugating civilians. These measures must be understood alongside Turkey’s policies, HTS attacks, and the conditions of de facto occupation in the region.”
The signatories also criticized mainstream media based in Turkey and Europe for largely ignoring what is happening in Kobanê, undermining the public’s right to information.
International media outlets and human rights organizations were called to closely monitor developments in the region, emphasizing that governments cannot suspend civilians’ right to life under the pretext of “security.”
The statement concluded with a warning that failing to intervene immediately will inevitably result in more severe humanitarian consequences.
Signatories:
Alexia Cinkilic, Aleksandra Kalisz, Arin Diren, Avesta Dilanar, Azat Baykara, Aylin Gökmen, Bahar Kocabey, Barış Balseçer, Barış Seyitvan, Berrin Shemdin, Berbang Hilat, Bêrîtan Yaşar, Can Abi, Cebrail Oruç, Ceren Yol, Deniz Örün, Didem Kris, Dijîn Felat, Duygu Earth, Ekin Tümer, Elîşêr Çiyayî, Elizabeth Seidel, Emine Kinis, Eser Örnek, Esra Gültekin, Esra Nesipoğulları, Ferda Duymaz, Ferhat Kartal, Gulistan Demirel, Gulistan Gültekin, Gulistan Yurtgül, Gülsün Demir, Halit Eke, Hatice Yaşar, Hayrullah Ercik, Helin Çelik, Heval Hêja, Hêlîn Aras, Hêlîn Karakuş, Hêvî Nimet Gatar, Hogir Ar, Hümeyra Acet, Hüseyin Polat, İdris Yetkin, Initiative Frieden und Hoffnung e.V., Iz Oztat, Jan Yekta, Jivan Güner, Johannes Päch, Jînda Kandemir, Kadîr Stêra, Karena Avedissian, Kewser Çeper, Lara Oluklu, Laura Peitzner, Mehmet Orhan, Mehmet Turan, Mehveş Öztürk, Meral Rakip, Mizgin Bilmen, Mother Tongue, Murat Encü, Muhammed Jafo, Nil Çiftçi, Nûşîn Özün, Ömer Aktaş, Özlem Evin, Özlem Tekin, Özlem Yılmaz, Rayel Collective, Revşen Kanat, Rojin Kılıçaslan, Roxana Safarabadi, Salman Ibrahim, Sara Ümit Doğan Kolektif, Sedat Özekinci, Serdar Mutlu, Serhat Yücekaya, Serhed Serhedî, Serpil Odabaşı, Siya Jandar, Sarya Nurcan Kaya, Şevval Su Ketmen, Şeyda Kurt, Süleyman Atalay, Talia Melda, Teatra Sarya Baran, Vivien Tauchmann, Wedat Ercan, Yar Mohammed Faqikhedr, Yasemin Canbaz, Yıldız Tar, Yunus Arslan, Zehra Kaçar, Zeynep Baran, Abdülkadir Güleç, Mehmet Murat Yıldırım, Ercan Jan Aktaş