Turkish occupation forces continue their attacks on the Tishrin Dam in NE Syria, endangering not only the dam’s infrastructure but also the lives of millions who rely on its resources for water and electricity. Since the start of Turkey’s efforts to dominate the Euphrates River and its water resources, the people of Syria have endured systematic deprivation of critical natural resources. These actions have severely damaged the region’s agricultural and industrial sectors.
Following the fall of the Ba’athist regime in Syria on December 8, 2024, Turkey escalated its offensive on Tishrin Dam. These actions intensify fears of its collapse—a catastrophic event that would jeopardize millions of lives in key areas such as Aleppo, Kobani, and Tabqa, this aggression poses direct threats to regional water security and economic stability, leaving inhabitants vulnerable to a compounded humanitarian and economic crisis.
The Euphrates is sustained by three principal dams in NE Syria: Rojava (Tishrin) Dam southeast of Manbij, Euphrates Dam near Tabqa, and Freedom Dam near Raqqa. The Tishrin Dam serves as a critical hydropower hub and a key link between Aleppo and Raqqa. Located 115 km from Aleppo, 33 km south of Manbij, and 70 km southwest of Kobani, it remains central to regional energy and water security.
The dam was constructed in 1999, it is Syria’s second-largest one in terms of capacity and production. With six advanced turbines, each weighing 1,900 tons and capable of generating over 100 megawatts of electricity, the dam produces a total of 642 megawatts. Its reservoir holds 1.9 billion cubic meters of water, ensuring its importance as a cornerstone of the region’s infrastructure.
The Euphrates River, lifeline to 12 million people across Syria and Iraq, has witnessed a significant reduction in water availability due to Turkey’s aggressive actions. Reports from humanitarian organizations highlight growing concerns over water shortages, electricity outages, and food insecurity. While Syria depends on the Euphrates for 85% of its agricultural water, Turkey’s control over upstream dams since 1975 has reduced water flow to Syria by 40% and Iraq by 80%.
Turkey’s strategy since 2018 has aimed to tighten control over the region's water resources by restricting the Euphrates' flow to Syria to less than 200 cubic meters per second—well below the 1987 agreement mandating a minimum flow of 500 cubic meters per second. This shortage has left vast swaths of fertile land barren, including 400,000 hectares of farmland that has remained without water since 2020.
Concerns surrounding Tishrin Dam resurged on December 8, 2024, following intensified Turkish attacks via its National Army mercenaries. While Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) successfully repelled these advances, the dam remains at heightened risk of collapse.
Dam official, Imad Obeid emphasized the gravity of continuous attacks, which endanger the structural integrity of the dam, its hydroelectric station, and critical equipment. Should water levels exceed capacity, the dam’s infrastructure may fail entirely, releasing 1.9 billion cubic meters of water. The resulting floodwaters would inundate downstream Euphrates reservoirs, including the Tabqa Dam, causing irreversible devastation across Syria and northern Iraq.
Currently, the dam operates with an emergency crew, focusing on preventing catastrophic flooding and ensuring water flow. Nevertheless, parts of the dam have already suffered damage, disrupting critical energy production facilities.
More than one million people in the vicinity of Tishrin Dam—including those in Manbij, Kobani, and Sirrin—are experiencing severe water and power shortages. Urban centers, such as Kobani, remain in darkness as residents rely on lanterns. Locals lament the destruction of essential resources, questioning the motives behind Turkish President Erdogan’s targeting of their homeland.
Efforts to ensure access to electricity and water are constrained as critical pumping stations have ceased operation. The population fears a recurrence of tragedies reminiscent of Turkey's earlier actions, such as the siege of Alouk water station, which left over a million people in Hassaka without drinking water.
In the city of Kobani, citizens endure complete darkness following the bombing of the vicinity of the Dam, which led to its decommissioning. Residents are now forced to rely on lanterns in their daily lives. Hawa Bar'ad, a local citizen, expressed her despair, stating, "It feels as if we are living in ancient times, surrounded by lanterns. Erdogan has cut off our water and electricity, despite our having made no aggression toward his borders. Yet, he targets us with missiles."
Hawa questioned the motives behind Erdogan's actions, asking, "What does Erdogan want from us? What crime have we committed to justify cutting off our water and electricity?" She continued, " The Dam belongs to everyone, and we strive to protect it from any threats. When ISIS controlled the dams, they sought to destroy them, and now Erdogan wants to do the same, aiming to harm us all."
In a tone of indignation, Biaz Sheikho stated, "This is our homeland. What do our enemies want from us? We face immense challenges in securing electricity and water, living under the weight of utter darkness."
In a related statement, Zozan Khalil, the official at the Euphrates Water Directorate, issued a grave warning regarding the continued targeting of water facilities. She emphasized, "We have been grappling with a severe crisis for more than 40 days due to the attacks on water stations near the dam."
Khalil explained that the water stations rely on electrical power, and the loss of electricity has forced reliance on diesel generators, which themselves have become targets of further assaults. She highlighted that the western villages of Kobani face a catastrophic situation due to the halt in operations at these stations.
The dam was liberated from ISIS control in 2015 by the SDF, has since been a target for Turkish occupation forces, who view control over water resources as a means of exerting political and economic pressure on the region.
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ANHA
