Anniversary of Tishrin Dam Resistance: Popular Unity prevented Turkish occupation

The first anniversary of the Tishrin Dam resistance recalls one of the most prominent moments of popular steadfastness in NE Syria against the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries. The locals, alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces, embodied the highest levels of the people's revolutionary warfare approach, creating a living example of solidarity and legitimate defense of land and dignity.

In this context, ANHA agency conducted interviews with several residents of Tal Tamr who participated in the popular resistance, which began on January 8, to commemorate the experience, evaluate its results, and assess its impact on the current situation.

During the interviews, the women of Tal Tamr emphasized that the Tishrin Dam resistance was a result of deep popular awareness of the dangers posed by the region's targeting and its resources. They noted that the dam represented a strategic point, and defending it was a defense of the lives, safety, and stability of the people.

Citizen Janar Yusuf explained that the cohesion between the region's components and the Syrian Democratic Forces played a decisive role in thwarting the plans of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries. The locals stood united and provided all forms of support, driven by the belief that protecting the area was a collective responsibility, not limited to one entity.

She pointed out that the experience of resistance at Tishrin Dam reinforced the spirit of belonging and self-reliance, consolidating the concept of essential protection that stems from the community itself. She emphasized that the phase increased social cohesion and boosted confidence between the locals and the defending forces.

She stressed that the results of the Tishrin Dam resistance are still tangible today, whether in terms of the security witnessed in the region or the popular awareness and constant readiness to confront any new threats.

Janar Yusuf concluded her statement by confirming that despite the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries using all types of weapons, including airstrikes and drones, they were unable to advance or occupy the dam, thanks to the popular solidarity with the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Women's Protection Units.

For her part, citizen Turfa Ibrahim, who visited Tishrin Dam twice to confront the attacks of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces, recounted important moments of the resistance. She confirmed that the resistance of Tishrin Dam embodied the highest levels of popular will and the community's commitment to its collective responsibility. She said that this historical phase strengthened the trust between the society and its defending forces and made the joint cooperation between them a model to be followed.

She expressed her pride in that phase, confirming that the unity of the people was the most prominent factor in achieving steadfastness, and that popular solidarity with the Syrian Democratic Forces formed an impenetrable wall that prevented the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries from achieving their goals.

She pointed out that their standing alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Women's Protection Units during the resistance of Tishrin Dam came from a strong conviction of their role in protecting the region. She explained that this solidarity resulted in thwarting the plans of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries, which aimed to destabilize the region and spread chaos.

In the same context, the displaced person from the occupied city of Sere Kaniye, Najma Al-Ahmad, emphasized that her participation in the resistance of Tishrin Dam came with the goal of preventing the repetition of the tragedy her city's residents endured during the Turkish occupation and the mercenaries' attack on Sere Kaniye at the end of 2019, which led to the forced displacement of the original residents.

She explained in her talk that her participation in the resistance stemmed from the pain still haunting the memory of the displaced people. She stressed that defending Tishrin Dam is defending the future of safe cities and protecting what remains of the land.

She concluded her statement by emphasizing that what Sere Kaniye endured in terms of violations and destruction made them more determined to stand by the Syrian Democratic Forces to prevent such a painful experience from repeating again.

ANHA