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.
‘We must work to reforest Mount Kizwan’
“90% of trees on Mount Kizwan were cut down in four years. We must work together to reforest the mount,” said Meha Eid El-Hilû, who lives in a village close to Mount Kizwan.
Jinwar – A women’s village full of change and hope in North and East Syria
Jinwar is home to many different women that have decided to join the community for a variety of different reasons. Something that unites all of them is their search for a free life in communality and the wish to learn, to strengthen and develop as women. Some of them have lost their husbands in the war, or others have freed themselves from domestic violence or forced marriage. There are also Yazidi women who have begun a new life here after they were liberated from the enslavement of ISIS.
Amed Ecology Council announces its establishment “to create a common ground for struggle”
The Amed Ecology Council advocates the construction of democratic, ecological, and women's libertarian social structures to overcome the crisis between society and nature.
Oil pollution devastates Rojava: Toxic air, cancer, and barren land threaten recovery
North and East Syria (Rojava) suffers from extensive oil pollution caused by Turkish bombardments of oil refineries, significantly affecting rivers, fields, and air quality, and leading to an increase in cancer cases among residents.
Diminishing Water Flow from Turkey Signals Deepening Agricultural and Food Crisis in Syria’s Raqqa
Without immediate and coordinated intervention, both domestically and internationally, the water crisis in Raqqa will likely escalate into a broader humanitarian emergency. Reduced crop yields could lead to soaring food prices, deepening economic hardship, and even population displacement if farming becomes untenable.
Water crisis deepens in North-East Syria
Drought, insufficient rainfall and the impact of water policies are causing the water crisis in Cizire Canton to deepen. People in villages are facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to the drying up of drinking water and agricultural irrigation sources.
Campaign for environmental awareness and social responsibility in Hasakeh
The Hasakeh City Council, in cooperation with the People's Municipality and neighborhood communes, continues its weekly environmental awareness initiative, which was launched at the beginning of spring. This week, the campaign reached the Al-Aziziyah neighborhood.
Harvest of barley starts on foothills of Mount Kizwanan
Women living in the village of Fiwêda, located on the foothills of Mount Kizwanan have already started harvesting barley.
Tishrin Dam in northern Syria on the brink of collapse due to water shortage
A drastic water shortage is bringing the Tishrin Dam in northern Syria to the brink of collapse. Experts warn of a collapse with serious consequences for electricity supply, agriculture, and public health.
https://mesopotamia.coop/cities/afrin/Turkey’s water policies deplete Maydanki Lake in Syria’s Afrin
In the aftermath of the devastating 2023 earthquake that struck northwestern Syria and Turkey, the Turkish governor ordered the local council in Afrin to release half of the stored water from Maydanki Lake, citing concerns about potential damage to the dam.
Kars: A testament to Armenian history in shadow of genocide
Eastern Turkey's Kars showcases architectural treasures like the Stone or Vardan Bridge, and the Church of the Twelve Apostles, which exemplify the city's profound Armenian heritage, amid a haunting legacy of genocide and displacement.
