The drinking water trade in Afrin city and surrounding areas turned into one of the most important sources of armed militia money, having stolen equipment of main pumping stations and sold them on the Turkish black market.
Armed militias receiving support from Ankara and after the theft of equipment pumping stations in the Sheikh Al-Hadid area / Shih and “Snara” village the sale of drinking water in town and surrounding areas and the price per barrel 800 to 2000 Syrian pounds, knowing that the sources of this water are wells that spread in the area.
Private armed tankers prevent transfer of drinking water. Tankers must obtain a work permit issued by the local councils associated with Turkey and get second authorize from armed factions. The tanker is required to pay 600 Syrian pounds for each barrel that he transfers for trade or Personal use.
Militias theft was not limited to pumping stations, but confiscated and stole private wells and large reservoirs from houses whose owners were displaced to areas near Aleppo city. Civilians confirm that the trade of stolen tanks and dredgers is one of the types of trade carried out by militias supported by Turkish.
It is noteworthy that the transfer of water to areas inhabited by armed militias families are at prices much lower than is sold to local population, not exceeding price per barrel 150 pounds in those areas.
