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.
Can we get real. Kurds have been part of US contingent in Syria. If Kurds focused on THEIR own majority areas and worked with whatever government in Syria is for autonomy rights like use of language in schools, autonomy in trade and autonomy in building permits, trade licensing etc I would have respect for their goals,
But I cannot respect their control of manority Syrian Arab cities and regions. What business they have occupying Manbij? What business they have occupyin dams and depriving others of energy? Is the dam region majority Kurdish area? Of course not. What business they have to control Raqqa? None. Locals do not want them to rule over them. Who gave them rights? In Deir Azzior, Kurds are less than 1% of population, yet they control big chunk of it. After Assad left, Kurds pushed Syrian army out of Palmira, and just took it.
This lawlessnesx by Kurds is despiised in Syria. Just because US lets them to do what they want — they should not take advatage of fellow Syrians, They have been greedy and acting as occupiers.
Those 15,000 HTS people in Damascus are sitting naked there. Their force has dispersed looting, and on a collateral killing spree. While their leaders preach inclusion.
Many European leaders visited already.
Looks like panicking — who will reinforce thrm? For all we know Israel is itching to make it to Damascus to prop up headchoppers.
That would be make sense, as Kurds are keeping Turkey busy by hanging on to their ill gotten gains. They should be protecting the city of Kobane instead.
Israel is rightfully being concerned about Turkey. Forget IIran — big military power, Turkey is now becoming a neighbor.
If you want to continue commenting here, you can stop it with the ethnic slurs. “The Kurds” are 45 million people whose opinions, actions, etc. vary as much as those of “the Jews” and “the blacks” and “the Russians.”
The US can help with negotiations…!!!
It’s 2024 and that region is still fighting over water!!