Attachments
Context and impact
Since December 2024, ongoing intense hostilities caused severe infrastructure damages and humanitarian operations suspension and/or restrictions leading to a severely disrupted water access for thousands of families living in Kobani/Ain Arab, Ein Essa, and Manbij sub-districts in Syria.
Shelling, armed clashes and other violent incidents affected areas near the Al-Khafsa water pumping station and the Tishreen Dam – which remains non-operational since 10 December, depriving over 413,000 people in Manbij and Ain Al-Arab of electricity and pumped water for more than two months. Since January 2025, conflict-related damages of the Tishreen Dam are causing power loss, halting or reduced operations of 19 water stations in Ain Al-Arab, Afrin and Ras Al- Ain affecting 237,445 individuals (including over 21,000 IDPs). The main water station serving over 100,000 people in Kobani/Ain Arab city and 50 surrounding villages was destroyed on February 2nd. Several villages relying on private boreholes have also lost water access, exacerbating the crisis. Ongoing insecurity is also hindering humanitarian access and rehabilitation efforts.
In Manbij, most pumps in the Manbij Division, at Al Khafsa Station and Tal Aswad water stations, have stopped working, resulting in disrupted water supply for approximately 200,000 residents. The city is currently dependent on water trucking, costing between $1.8 and $2.5 per cubic meter—a significant financial burden on residents and service providers.