While much of the fighting between the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and the US-backed Kurdish SDF has centered on the cities of Manbij and Kobani, the largest focus in recent days has been the Tishreen Dam, a major hydroelectric dam on the Euphrates River.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, some 280 people have been killed so far in the battle over the dam. The split is 199 SNA fighters, 56 SDF fighters, and 25 civilians, including five women and two children.
Together with the Taqba Dam further east down the Euphrates River, Tishreen Dam provides approximately 90% of northeastern Syria’s electricity. Concerns are growing that Turkey is taking more and more water share on the river, while the river’s water level has been low in recent years.
The SDF has bragged it foiled attacks on metro Manbij and the Tishreen Dam, reporting the SNA attacks were backed by both Turkish artillery and air support. There have been multiple reports of Turkish drone strikes around the area in recent days.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), the SDF’s political ally, expressed concern about the continued attacks on Tishreen Dam, warning the dam has yet to be restored to full, normal operation. If continued Turkish attacks put it out of commission, AANES cautions this would be a humanitarian disaster in the region.
Turkey remains confident about its gains in the area, despite not having yet taken the dam. Yesterday Turkey’s foreign minister stated that they believe it is only a matter of time before the YPG is wiped out. The YPG is the largest member organization making up the SDF.
Tishreen Dam is simply the latest target in Turkey’s overall goal of undermining Kurdish autonomy in northeastern Syria. Turkey further appears to have set its sights on Tabqa and the Raqqa Province as well, once it takes Manbij, Kobani, and the Tishreen Dam.
