Turkish airstrikes continue to threaten stability of Tishrin Dam, raising fears of environmental and humanitarian catastrophe

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Turkish airstrikes targeting Tishrin Dam in northern Syria have raised alarms among officials from the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES). The attacks have inflicted severe technical damage, endangering the dam’s structural integrity and posing significant risks to the surrounding civilian population.

Amal Khuzaym, co-chair of DAARNES’ Energy Board, confirmed that the bombardment has rendered the dam completely inoperative. “The power supply to the dam has been severed, leaving it non-operational,” Khuzaym explained. “Water is now infiltrating the structure, including control rooms and areas housing essential electrical equipment, exacerbating the risk of collapse.”

Looming Disaster for Syria’s Water Security

Khuzaym warned of the potentially catastrophic consequences if the attacks continue. “The dam currently holds two billion cubic meters of water,” she said. “A collapse would inundate vast areas, creating a humanitarian and environmental disaster. Even worse, this could trigger a failure of the Euphrates Dam, which holds 14 billion cubic meters of water. Together, this would unleash 16 billion cubic meters of water, a scenario the Euphrates Dam cannot withstand.”

Such an event would devastate communities, agricultural lands, and critical infrastructure across Syria, further worsening the country’s already dire humanitarian situation.

Calls for International Intervention

Khuzaym criticized international organizations for their lackluster response to the crisis, noting that urgent appeals for help have largely gone unanswered. “Despite our repeated calls for action, international bodies have offered only minimal assistance, such as operating water pumps for two days,” she said.

Khuzaym reiterated the need for immediate global intervention to prevent further damage and protect civilian lives. “These facilities belong to all of Syria and must remain off-limits in armed conflicts,” she emphasized. “Their role is to provide water and electricity to millions, and targeting them endangers countless lives.”

‘Apparent War Crimes’

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that it documented potential war crimes committed by Turkey-backed forces around the Tishrin Dam, specifically the targeting of civilians and medical personnel with drones.

HRW identified a Turkish drone strike targeting a Kurdish Red Crescent ambulance as a possible war crime. The vehicle was transporting two injured individuals who had been wounded by Turkish shelling during a demonstration in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near the Tishrin Dam, south of Kobane.