On January 16, 2024, gunmen we have not been able to identify, who are suspected to be affiliated with Arab tribes, attacked the al-Jneina Water Station in western rural Deir Ez-Zour governorate, where Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) troops are stationed. Clashes ensued, damaging the power generator and in turn the water lines in the area. The gunmen also wrecked and tampered with the equipment in the station, putting it out of commission. It should be noted that the station supplies water to the villages of al-Jneina, Shaqra, and al-Jei’a in western rural Deir Ez-Zour governorate. The area is under the SDF’s control. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) is still trying to locate eyewitnesses and survivors to obtain more information about the incident.
SNHR also notes that the SDF have turned most of the water stations in the areas under their control in rural Deir Ez-Zour governorate into military outposts, basing their personnel in these facilities.
SNHR condemns the attack on the station, and holds the SDF responsible for what happened. We call on the SDF to leave civilian facilities instead of turning them into military outposts.
