Summer Trash Crisis in Hasakah: Residents demand action amid health and sanitation concerns

HASAKAH, North and East Syria — The lack of drinking water is not the only issue plaguing Hasakah and the broader Gozarto (Jazira) region in North and East Syria. As summer temperatures soar, another problem is intensifying: the accumulation of uncollected trash, which residents say is becoming a serious health hazard and a breeding ground for disease and insects.

Garbage piles are growing along the streets of Hasakah, and the problem is especially acute during the hotter months, when foul odors and infestations worsen.

Mahjoub Abdul-Ahad, a shop owner in the city’s main market, described the struggle local businesses face. “Garbage trucks come only every four or five days,” he told our newsdesk. “We’re forced to deal with unbearable smells and an explosion of insects. The municipality should increase collection to at least once every two days.”

He also expressed concern that some residents ignore designated trash disposal times, a behavior he believes could create social tensions in already stressed neighborhoods.

Basel al-Abdullah, a resident of the Al-Mahatta neighborhood, raised another concern: scavengers. He noted that people frequently sort through the trash to collect plastic and cardboard, which they later sell to scrap dealers. “Scavengers should not be allowed to dig through trash inside the city,” he said. “Let them work in landfills outside urban areas.”

Hazem Mahmoud, a member of the Executive Office of the People’s Municipality in Hasakah, acknowledged the seriousness of the issue in a statement to our newsdesk. He cited a lack of resources as a key factor. “We have only about 30 garbage trucks and 250 workers to manage waste collection across the city,” he explained.

Mahmoud also stressed the need for greater cooperation from residents. “Many people ignore the scheduled trash disposal times, which only adds to the strain on our services.”

He emphasized that resolving the crisis requires a joint effort between citizens and municipal authorities, along with increased public awareness and adherence to local regulations.