Reuters: Syria's Afrin cut off from water, thousands displaced
Water to Syria’s Afrin town has been cut for a week, the United Nations said on Wednesday, after Turkish troops seized the main dam and water plant in the region.
Ankara launched an offensive nearly two months ago against the town, to drive out Syrian Kurdish forces that control the northern region near Turkey’s border.
The U.N. office for humanitarian affairs (OCHA) said the fighting has forced thousands of people to flee their homes within the Afrin region and toward government territory.
After the dam northeast of Afrin town changed hands, “local workers were unable to access the dam controls to pump water. The water supply has been cut off,” OCHA said. Residents have relied on untreated water from boreholes and risk contracting diseases, it added.
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MIDDLE EAST
Water cut in Syria's Afrin as Turkey completes encirclement.
Turkish shelling on Kurdish Afrin intensifies, kills 7.
Turkish army surrounds Syrian city of Afrin.
Turkey's Erdogan says hopes Syria's Afrin town to be captured by Wednesday evening.
As Turkey draws near, Syria's Afrin braces for siege, tough fight.
Syria war: accusations of torture and executions.
Baghdad ends air blockade on Iraqi Kurdistan.
Saudi Arabia turns to nuclear power to curb oil addiction.
UN Palestinian agency in urgent search for cash at global gathering.
Israel avoids snap polls but Netanyahu's fate awaits.
ASIA
Airport ‘tape’ sheds new light on Kathmandu plane crash.
US focusing anti-Taliban effort inside Kabul.
More troops sent to west Afghanistan as Taliban step up attacks.
Top US commander sees peace possibilities in Afghanistan.
Pakistan, India trade barbs over 'harassment of diplomats'.
Duterte moves to withdraw Philippines from International Criminal Court.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to Sydney stirs up anger in expat community.
New Zealand diplomat tells US Democrats to organise against Trump or 'we all die'.
Chinese reporter's spectacular eye-roll sparks viral memes and censorship.
Australia considers visas for white South African farmers.
AFRICA
Migrant death in Italy points to dire conditions in Libya: aid workers.
Nigeria's Buhari says no rest until last kidnapped girl released.
25 killed in fresh clashes in central Nigeria: police.
Sierra Leone election: Julius Maada Bio beats Samura Kamara in first round.
Kenyan president's pick for top prosecutor draws criticism.
Zimbabwe businesses want Western sanctions lifted.
Mauritius President Gurib-Fakim refuses to resign over expense scandal.
Egyptian authorities call on citizens to report on the media.
Tuaregs celebrate culture in Niger Sahara festival.
EUROPE
Slovakia PM Robert Fico 'ready to quit' over Jan Kuciak murder.
New German foreign minister criticizes Russian response to chemical attack.
U.S. Ambassador Haley tells U.N. Russia responsible for chemical attack.
U.S. State Dept. slams Russia's 'campaign of coercion and violence' in Crimea.
UK expels 23 Russian diplomats over spy poisoning.
Russia calls UK bluff as nerve agent attack deadline passes. Russia hits back as Britain gains support over poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal.
EU promises solidarity with Britain over Russian spy poisoning.
Russia hopes for constructive ties with U.S. after Tillerson firing: Kremlin.
Brexit negotiations accelerating, German official says.
Angela Merkel elected to fourth term as German chancellor.
Italy bomb: World War Two device forces mass evacuation in Fano.
AMERICAS
Pence to lay out administration views on Latin America.
Students across US stage national walkout month after Parkland massacre.
Haley blames Russia for poisoning ex-spy in UK.
PA race tighter-than-tight; Dem claims win, GOP hangs in.
Trump demands answers as Russia ignores Britain's spy deadline.
Intense security on both sides of border for Trump's visit to wall prototypes.
U.S. students to abandon class for 17 minutes to protest gun violence.
Venezuela’s hyperinflation is breaking deli scales.
Belgian royal King Philippe and his wife Mathilde are stood up by Justin Trudeau on state visit to Canada… because the leader was too busy touring a steel plant.
Caribbean volcano Kick 'em Jenny: Ships warned off area.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
U.S. braces for return of terrorist safe havens to Afghanistan.
Al-Qaida in Syria losing ground in battles with insurgents.
Al-Qaeda operative born in Texas sentenced to 45 years for conspiring to murder Americans, supporting terrorism.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street falls amid fears of trade war with China.
U.S. pressing China to cut trade surplus by $100 billion: White House.
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes charged with elaborate, yearslong fraud by SEC.
Trade war could derail global economic recovery, warns OECD.
Trump pressure scuppers $140bn chipmaker takeover.
Donald Trump eyes massive tariffs on China tech sector.
Fighting 'bad ads,' Google targets cryptocurrency advertisements.
YouTube, Wikipedia team up on conspiracy videos.
