Category: Ecology
Ecology is one of the three main pillars of the Rojava Revolution and the stateless self-governance model of the Autonomous Administrations of North and East Syria (AANES), as well as the Kurdish freedom movement more broadly, which initiated the revolution.
Although ecology is one of the main pillars of the revolution in North and East Syria, it is also sadly one of the least developed. This is due to the challenges of being at the epicentre of a global conflict and under heavy economic embargo in a desertifying region suffering immense water scarcity that has been forced into a pesticide and chemical fertiliser heavy form of monocrop agriculture for forty years. To add to these troubles, the rivers which flow through the region are controlled by hostile state of Turkey, which frequently detains water flow.
In Bakur (north Kurdistan / southeastern Turkey), ecological destruction is also used as a weapon of war. Hydroelectric megaprojects have been used to control village populations, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and literally submerging entire towns.
Below you can find articles with more information about attempts to create ecological projects in both regions, the ecological pillar of the Rojava Revolution, and the struggle against ecocide in southeastern Turkey.
Woman in Zirgan plants seeds after collecting remnants of war
Hena Xidir, resident of Zirgan, plants seeds after collecting the remnants of war to breathe life into nature.
Green Tress Environmental Association Distributes Tree Saplings to the Schools of Tirbesbiye
On 22 February 2024, the Green Tress Environmental Association distributed tree seedlings to the schools of Tirbesbiye city as part of the project 'Environmental School – Environmental Community', and in memory of the martyr artist Mansour Karimian. The seeds were planted two years ago and have been cared for and watered since then, in coordination between the workers in the Odeh field and the Association.
Farmers in Zirgan: Protect our nature from the Turkish attacks
Farmers in the town of Zirgan (Abu Rasin) demand the end of the Turkish attacks because “Our food security is at risk. The ongoing Turkish attacks destroy biodiversity.”
Stop the Turkish bombardment on the Tişrin Dam in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) or it will collapse
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, that includes the Kurdish populated areas of Rojava, has stated that the Tişrin Dam at the Euphrates River is on the verge of collapse due to the intense attacks by Turkish military and affiliated jihadist-terorist groups. The administration emphasized that the destruction of this massive water resource in its region, with a capacity of 1.9 billion cubic meters, threatens the biological life in a long stretch of the Euphrates valley that is ecologically the most diverse landscape in that region. It has called on the international community to stand in solidarity before this major destruction takes place.
AANES Launches Organic Fertilizer Project in NE Syria
In October 2024, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) officially launched the Zero Waste project in Hasakah Governorate, in partnership with the Kurdish Red Crescent and with support from the international organization UPP.
Jinwar – Women and Mothers’ Resistance
Jinwar is a solution against violence and genocide based on the values of women’s liberation, democratic community life, ecology, friendship of peoples and religions.
Ecology Board: Turkish attacks have caused great damage to the ecology in North-East Syria
Cizîr Canton Ecology Board stated that the attacks by the occupying Turkish state has caused great damage to the ecology in North-East Syria, calling on the international community to take action against this ecological destruction.
Collecting Kizwan Tree Seeds
With the participation of first year students from the Faculty of Agriculture in Rojava, a volunteer day was organised to collect seeds (Kizwan) trees as part of the #FromEverySeedTree campaign launched by the Green Tresses Environmental Association in Northeast Syria.
The formation of environmental committees in schools in Amuda
Environmental Committees are being formed in schools in Amuda, as part of a collaboration between the Keziyên Kesk Environmental Association and the Education Authority of the Jazira Canton.
Man in NE Syria makes vision reality by turning wind into power
Alan Haj Ali, 32, has dedicated over four years to building a wind turbine, driven by a relentless determination despite the scarcity of materials in his region.
The Turkish occupation attacks on the regions of northern and eastern Syria are a clear violation of the rule of international environmental law and human rights.
Since 23/10/2024, the regions of Northern and Eastern Syria have witnessed a new wave of escalation in which the Turkish occupying state has targeted the already fragile infrastructure and services due to the siege imposed on the region’s population and the long duration of the ongoing war in the country.
