The recent Turkish military aggression against North and East Syria has left more than two million people without water or electricity, said Nadine Maenza, president of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat and Global Fellow at the Wilson Center Middle East Program, during a field visit to the region on Friday.

Maenza reported that the region has suffered from over 200 airstrikes, primarily targeting hospitals, schools, electrical and water plants. “Because of bombings like this, over 2 million people are without water or electricity, and 48 civilians have been killed, including women and children,” she said.

Her visit comes amid a backdrop of heightened tensions in the region, due both to Turkish military operations targeting northeast Syria and northern Iraq since 5 October, and to the recent escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Just days prior, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan questioned the state of human rights, lamenting the lack of water and electricity in Gaza, Palestine. Maenza pointed out the irony on X, stating, “President Erdoğan had the audacity to ask, ‘what happened to human rights’… Yet here in NE Syria, HE is the one who has destroyed water & electrical plants, hospitals & schools.”

The advocate further highlighted the resilience of the local community, which has built a democratic and pluralistic society. “They are our allies in the fight against ISIS. All religious and ethnic communities have equal citizenship here, and half the leaders are women,” she added.

Maenza called for international solidarity, urging that “it’s important that the United States and the international community stand with them and against any further Turkish attacks.”