Lake Khatuniyah

Lake Khatuniyah is a natural lake in the north-east of Hasakah province, near the Iraqi border, at the foot of the Sinjar ridge. It covers about 6 square kilometres and holds several islands. It is a rare patch of wetland on the dry plain of eastern Syria. But it lies in a border area near al-Hol, and whether it can be visited today has not been confirmed.

Where it is

Administratively it belongs to al-Hol subdistrict in Hasakah district. Sources give different distances: an English source places the lakeside village 40 kilometres east of Hasakah, an Arabic source puts the lake 50 kilometres from the provincial capital. The main road from Hasakah to the Rabia border crossing runs past the north-west side of the lake.

The village of Khatuniyah sits on a small peninsula on the north-east shore; its population in 2004 was 1218.

What lives in and around it

The lake holds carp, fish known locally as zazan and rumi, and tilapia, called musht. Ducks, gulls and birds of prey, both migrant and resident, are seen along the shore. Wolves, hyenas, jackals, wild cats and hares are recorded in the surrounding land. Near the lake there is also an archaeological site called al-Sheikh Salih.

Can you go?

This is the question this page cannot answer. The lake and its surroundings were under ISIL control and changed hands on 11 November 2015. The area lies in al-Hol subdistrict, close to al-Hol camp and in the Iraqi border zone, and remnants of ISIL are reported to be active in the countryside. If you are thinking of going, ask in Hasakah first about the road and the security situation, and keep away from the border strip.