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.
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.
First harvest of ‘Women’s City Garden’: We earn a living by producing
“Women’s City Garden” opened by the Rêya Armûşê (İpekyolu) Municipality held by the DEM Party has yielded its harvest. “We get what we produce,” said Sebiha Yakut, one of the women working in the garden.
“Our aim is to create a clean and healthy environment’
“Green spaces play an effective and positive role in climate change. Our aim is to create a clean and healthy environment,” said Meha Mihemed, Co-chair of the Ecology Department of the People’s Municipality in Til Temir.
Building Alternative Universities in the Midst of War and Revolution
The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North-Eastern Syria (DAANES) is building an alternative education system under siege from multiple powers, defying the control of the Ba’athist education system of the Assad regime as well as the Turkish occupation forces and their proxies. The alternative system has accomplished such measures as the reintroduction of the Kurdish language for young students—drastically altering the way of life in the region. However, building institutions of higher education in an area where many native Kurds could not even have Syrian citizenship two decades ago poses a major challenge.
Women of Deir ez-Zor keep growing cotton despite difficulties
Women of Deir ez-Zor keep growing cotton despite all the difficulties caused by climate change and the ongoing attacks.
Fridays For Future calls to “Stop Turkeys Ecocide”
Even though the necessary outcry by environmental and climate movements to stop the ecological catastrophe that unfolds in the Middle East is missing, slowly the silence is breaking. In this context, Fridays For Future made a step to uncover the Turkish politics with a video they shared on their social platform .
