Amounts to War Crimes.. Turkish Airstrikes Deprive Million Syrians of Water and Electricity
Targeting Water and Electricity Infrastructure Reveals Systematic Pattern in Turkish Policy, Exceeding Military Objectives to Directly Impact Civilian Lives
November 19, 2024, 7:40 pm

Amounts to War Crimes.. Turkish Airstrikes Deprive Million Syrians of Water and Electricity

المساعي التركية لمهاجمة شمال سوريا \ تعبيرية \ ليفانت نيوز

A series of Turkish airstrikes targeted infrastructure in drought-stricken northeastern Syria, depriving over a million people of water and electricity access, in practices legal experts say may violate international law.

A BBC investigation documented Turkey conducting over 100 attacks between October 2019 and January 2024, targeting oil fields, gas facilities, and power stations in Kurdish autonomous administration areas in northern and eastern Syria.

The attacks exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in a region already suffering from internal armed conflict and four years of severe climate change-related drought.

The water situation severely deteriorated following attacks on electricity facilities last October, causing the main Allouk water station to cease operations since then.

BBC documented residents' water access struggles during two field visits.

The autonomous administration previously accused Turkey of seeking to "destroy our people's existence." Over a million people in Hasakah province, who relied on Allouk station, now depend on water tankers from areas 20 kilometers away.

Hundreds of tankers arrive daily, with the water authority prioritizing schools, orphanages, hospitals, and most vulnerable groups. BBC documented Hasakah residents pleading with tanker drivers for water.

Tanker driver Ahmed Al-Ahmad stated: "Water here is more precious than gold. People need more water; all they want is water." Residents admitted fighting with drivers, while one woman threatened: "If [the tanker driver] doesn't give me water, I'll puncture his truck's tires."

Yahya Ahmed, City Water Council Co-Director, warned: "Let me tell you frankly, northeastern Syria faces a humanitarian catastrophe."

Power transmission stations in Amuda, Qamishli, Darbasiyah, and the main Suwaidiyah station were bombed between October 2023 and January 2024. BBC confirmed damage through satellite imagery, witness recordings, media reports, and field visits.

The UN attributed strikes in Suwaidiyah, Amuda, and Qamishli to Turkish forces, while humanitarian organizations indicated Turkey's responsibility for the Darbasiyah attack.

Legal experts agreed with this assessment. Lawyer Aref Ibrahim said: "Turkey's attacks on power infrastructure had a devastating impact on civilians, potentially constituting a serious violation of international law."

International criminal lawyer Patrick Crocker emphasized: "Indicators of international law violation here are so strong that prosecution authorities should investigate."

Hasakah residents expressed feeling abandoned. Water Testing Department Head Othman Qaddu said: "We made many sacrifices, many died during battle, but no one comes to save us. All we ask for is drinking water."

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.