Popular will foils plan to occupy Tishreen Dam

As the anniversary of the Tishreen Dam resistance approaches on January 8, the region recalls one of its most prominent moments, which embodied the unity of fighters and residents in defending a vital facility that represents a lifeline for thousands. In that historic moment, the dam was transformed from a water project into a symbol of resistance and people’s revolutionary war, as residents stood side by side with military forces to protect public gains, despite serious threats and Turkish drone attacks.

Thousands gathered on the dam, young and old, taking turns to protect it. The first convoy set off from the cities of the Jazira Canton—Amuda, Al-Darbasiyah, Tal Tamr, and Al-Hasakah—on January 8. Among the participants was Manwar Khaled from Amuda, who had previously experienced protests in Afrin in 2018 and Serê Kaniyê in 2019, and insisted on heading to the dam, affirming that defending the region’s achievements is a national duty.

A year after the resistance, Manwar Khaled recounted her testimony, emphasizing that the dam brought civilians and fighters together in one trench to defend the homeland. She explained that the first day witnessed intense drone activity targeting protesters deliberately, but the steadfastness of the residents overcame the threats and the attacks only increased their determination to resist.

Manwar Khaled recalled images of fighters defending their land and the scenes of transporting martyrs, affirming that those moments will remain etched in memory. She believes that the resistance of the people recorded immortal epics whose echoes reached the world, becoming a symbol of struggle and steadfastness—not only in Kurdish history, but in the memory of all humanity.

She pointed out that the attack on the dam was part of a plan to exterminate the peoples of North and East Syria, involving mercenaries alongside the Turkish occupying state.

 She stressed that the residents’ protests constituted a strong response that proved their solid will, leading to the failure of attempts to occupy the dam. Fighters drew their strength from the people and the mothers, while the people drew their determination from the fighters, embodying the people’s revolutionary war as a unifying national duty.

Manwar Khaled added that residents confronted the drones with determination and continued marching until they reached the dam, stressing that women were on the front lines and that the words of leader Abdullah Ocalan about freedom were their sustenance in facing challenges. The message was clear: “No one can touch our land, which has been watered by the blood of our martyrs.”

She concluded by saying that despite the intensity of the attacks and the losses among civilians, fighters, and journalists, the resistance of Tishreen Dam turned into a bright historic milestone that left an indelible mark on the world’s memory.

a.k

ANHA