20/01/2025

North and East Syria Environmental Board calls for UN protection of Tishrin Dam amid Turkish airstrikes

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — The Environmental Board of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) issued an urgent appeal for the deployment of United Nations forces to safeguard the Tishrin Dam from ongoing Turkish airstrikes by drones and warplanes.

In its statement, the Environmental Board warned of the severe environmental and societal risks posed by Turkish shelling targeting the Tishrin Dam. The attacks not only jeopardize the critical infrastructure but also deepen divisions within Syrian society, obstructing efforts to shape the country’s future and draft a new constitution.

The Board condemned Turkey’s targeted assaults on the dam, accusing the Turkish state of perpetuating violence despite civilian-led efforts to protect the site. Civilians have formed human shields and dispatched convoys to safeguard the dam, but Turkish forces have repeatedly attacked these groups, resulting in numerous fatalities.

Calls for International Intervention

The Environmental Board called on Syrians to raise the issue in international forums and appealed to environmental movements, human rights organizations, and global institutions to intervene immediately to stop Turkey’s aggression. The Board emphasized the catastrophic consequences of a potential dam collapse, warning of an impending humanitarian disaster.

Residents of Hasakah staged a protest outside the US-led Global Coalition’s base in the Ghuweiran neighborhood, condemning Turkish airstrikes and attacks on civilians near the Tishrin Dam. Protesters submitted an official letter to the coalition’s leadership, demanding urgent action to halt Turkey’s aggression and protect the region’s stability.

The ongoing crisis highlights the need for swift international action to prevent further escalation and avert a potential humanitarian catastrophe.