Thousands of people from Tabqa, Raqqa, Cizire and Euphrates Cantons are on their way to the Tishrin Dam, which has been targeted by a wave of intensified attacks since this morning.

The convoy, consisting of hundreds of vehicles, was targeted by an aerial attack.

According to initial reports, the attack by a Turkish UCAV resulted in deaths and injuries.

Detailed information about the aftermath of the bombing was not immediately available.

In a statement about the growing threat to the dam, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported earlier today that Turkish warplanes have conducted multiple airstrikes on the Tishrin Dam and its surrounding areas amid intense clashes between the Manbij Military Council forces and Turkish-backed mercenary groups.

Remarking that the risk of a catastrophic collapse of the Tishrin Dam is increasing, the SDF said: “The Turkish state will bear full responsibility for any disaster that may occur at the Dam or other areas in Syria due to the ongoing Turkish air and artillery strikes. These attacks reached a peak intensity earlier this morning and are continuing at this time.”

Background

The Tishrin Dam, which began to provide electricity in 1999, had the capacity to meet the needs of the whole of Syria before the war and conflicts in the country. Located in the Manbij region, Tishrin Dam is 115 kilometres from Aleppo province and 80 kilometres from the Turkish border. 

Especially between 2014 and 2016, when ISIS occupied Manbij, the Tishrin Dam suffered a heavy blow. ISIS tried to completely destroy the dam dozens of times during the liberation campaign for Manbij.

However, YPJ, YPG and SDF fighters carried out a very careful operation to prevent damage to the dam. In December 2015, Tishrin Dam was liberated by YPG, YPJ and SDF fighters. The dam, which has been meeting the electricity demand of the people of the region for years, is now under threat from the Turkish state.