Ad-Darbasiyah: Tishrin Dam resistance triumphed through strategy of revolutionary people’s war

Following the fall of the Baathist regime in Syria at the end of 2024, the Turkish occupation state and its mercenaries launched attacks on the region of North and East Syria with the intention of occupying it and eliminating the democratic model of the Autonomous Administration. In response, the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), and the Internal Security Forces demonstrated great resistance in the region.

On January 8, 2025, the peoples of the region organized a popular resistance at the Tishrin Dam, showing heroic steadfastness in the face of the attacks and recording some of the most remarkable chapters of the revolutionary people’s war in history, thereby thwarting the occupation’s plans.

In this context, several residents of Al-Darbasiyah city in al-Jazira Canton, who witnessed the resistance firsthand, spoke to our agency. Citizen Alan Maish stated that the Tishrin Dam resistance became a topic of global discussion due to its strong symbolism in defending and protecting the will of the people. He explained that the people headed to the dam to support the fighters and participate directly in the resistance.

Maish noted that all residents took part in the resistance without fear, driven by their belief in the dam’s importance and strategic role. He added, “We went to the Tishrin Dam to provide moral support to the fighters, and there we witnessed the revolutionary people’s war in all its meanings,” pointing out that the fighters showed heroic resistance in confronting the attacks and defending both the dam and the people.

He emphasized that the sacrifices made by the forces became a source of motivation and additional strength for the people, who in turn did not hesitate to make sacrifices themselves. He stressed that this only increased the people’s determination to cling to resistance, stating that the protection of the dam was achieved through popular resistance and cooperation with the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Alan Maish called on all residents of the region to actively participate in essential protection efforts and in defending the achievements attained through the sacrifices of the martyrs.

For her part, citizen Nasreen Ali said that the Tishrin Dam resistance represents a significant milestone in the history of the struggle of the peoples of North and East Syria. She noted that such resistance carries a special sanctity due to the sacrifices made in defense of land and dignity.

She explained that residents headed to the Tishrin Dam with high morale, emphasizing that the responsibility for protection today does not rest solely on military forces but also includes the people. She said, “The Tishrin Dam resistance was a fundamental barrier preventing massacres against the people of North and East Syria,” stressing that without this resistance, massacres would have been committed in the region.

She affirmed that “the people have trained themselves in the strategy of the revolutionary people’s war, and today they are fully prepared at all times to support the military forces and to prevent the occupation of the regions of North and East Syria.”

Citizen Abdul Baqi Abdul Rahman stated that the people delivered a strong and decisive response to the enemy through their resistance and steadfastness at the Tishrin Dam, pointing out that the will of the people was the primary factor in managing and ensuring the success of this resistance.

He added, “Victory was achieved through the strategy of the revolutionary people’s war, through the unity of the people and the fighters standing side by side, in a scene that embodied the unity and strength of the people.”

He confirmed that this resistance thwarted the plans of the Turkish occupying state at the Tishrin Dam, noting that the dam has become known as the ‘Dam of the Martyrs’ due to the great sacrifices made in its defense. He added that without this resistance, the peoples of the region would have been subjected to massacres similar to those committed against Alawites on the coast and Druze in Suwayda.

Abdul Rahman concluded by stressing that the people do not seek war or bloodshed, but rather struggle for peace, while affirming at the same time that resistance will continue in order to protect the land and the people.

ANHA