
Resistance in Tişrîn, the heart of the Euphrates

2025-01-25 14:54:39


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	Rojda Aydin

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	NEWS CENTRE - At the Tişrîn Dam, which has a great importance with its strategic location on the Euphrates River, the people resisting against Turkey's attacks are once again making history.

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	Since 27 November 2024, the attacks on Northern and Eastern Syria and Rojava cities continue with increasing intensity. Since 8 December, Tişrîn Dam has been subjected to intense air and ground attacks by Turkey and its paramilitary SMO groups. As the resistance left a month behind, on 8 January, thousands of people from Northern and Eastern Syria set out for Tişrîn Dam with the call of the Autonomous Administration. The forces that have been attacking the dam for years have failed against the resistance of the people. The aim of the resisting people is to protect their land and water.

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	Tishreen Dam: A strategic resource

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	The Tishreen Dam in Aleppo province of Syria is a critical facility on the Euphrates River, both for irrigation and energy production. The construction of the dam is part of a historical process intertwined with the complex political and geographical situation of the region.

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	Construction process

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	The construction of the Tişrîn Dam began in the 1980s and was completed and commissioned in 1999. The dam was built for the efficient use of water resources and to increase the capacity of electricity generation.

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	Massive destruction

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	With the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, the Tishrin Dam, like other strategic points, came under the control of different armed groups. Between 2013 and 2015, the dam fell into the hands of ISIS. During this period, the dam's infrastructure was severely damaged, irrigation systems were disrupted and electricity generation was severely disrupted.

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	In 2015, YPG and YPJ forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (QSD) recaptured the dam from ISIS as part of the Minbij operation. The dam, which was largely destroyed during the war, was repaired and reactivated by the YPG and YPJ.

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	Turkey cut off the Euphrates water

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	After the dam was repaired, the water level in the dam dropped as Turkey reduced the flow of water from the Euphrates River, negatively affecting electricity generation. This has exacerbated the already existing water scarcity in the region.

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	The importance of the Tishreen Dam

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	The Tishrin Dam is one of the most important water sources in the region. The dam stores and regulates the water required for agriculture, drinking water and industry. Moreover, its location on the Euphrates River increases the efficiency of irrigation systems. However, the importance of the dam is not limited to its economic dimension.

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	Due to its strategic location, the Tishreen Dam plays a critical role in regional power balances. The power that controls the dam can directly affect the water resources and energy production capacity in the region. For this reason, the Tishreen Dam maintains its strategic importance at a time when the Syrian civil war continues.

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	Continuous attacks

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	Today, the attacks on the region continue uninterruptedly. On 8 January, thousands of people from the northern and eastern parts of Syria came to the dam area to protect the Tishrin Dam and resist the attacks.

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	Massacre in Tishreen

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	While the people of the region and QSD forces have been waging a great struggle at the Tişrîn Dam for weeks, Turkey has been carrying out intense attacks with UCAVs. Since 8 January, many people have lost their lives as a result of the attacks against civilians going to the dam. Several people, including journalists, were injured.

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	Turkey's targets

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	Turkey's main aim in these attacks is to seize control over the Tişrîn Dam to use the water resources in its favour and to strengthen its strategic position in the region. In addition, Turkey aims to weaken QSD and YPG/YPJ with these attacks.

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	Resistance continues despite massacres

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	Despite all the attacks and massacres, the people did not step back. In Tişrîn, the heart of the Euphrates, the people continue their resistance with the slogans ‘Em ji mirinê mezintir in’ (We are bigger than death) and ‘Tişrîn ava ax û jiyana me ye’ (Tişrîn, the water of our land and life). The people became a human shield to protect their land and water resources. The people, who do not take a step back, call on the international community to recognise these massacres and attacks.

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