Turkey warns of disaster at Syria's Tishrin Dam amid intense clashes
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Held by militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the dam has sustained serious damage, raising concerns about a potential disaster in the region.
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Smoke rises as clashes erupt between PKK and the Syrian National Army near the Tishrin Dam, December 19, 2024. (Social media)
According to a senior diplomatic source who spoke to RIA Novosti on Thursday, the Tishrin Dam near Aleppo, Syria, is facing a significant risk of failure.
Held by militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the dam has sustained serious damage, raising concerns about a potential disaster in the region.
"Due to the PKK terrorists holed up around the dam and in the tunnels, it is impossible to determine the situation on the ground. Arriving teams are being targeted by terrorists. The amount of water and the technical situation cannot be fully understood. Attempts are being made to assess the situation based on limited information from dam workers. Experts estimate that a major disaster could occur if the dam fails," the source said.
In response to the threat, Ankara has implemented measures to ensure safety in the region, including reducing the amount of water released from dams on the Euphrates River to ensure the safety of the Tishrin Dam and the entire region, especially Syria, the source noted.
The situation remains critical, with limited access preventing a thorough assessment of the dam's condition. Experts warn that failure of the dam could have devastating consequences for the surrounding area, compounding existing challenges in a region already affected by conflict and instability.
Intense clashes erupt as ceasefire collapses
The fragile ceasefire in northern Syria was shattered as the Syrian National Army (SNA) forces launched a surprise attack on Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) positions near the Tishrin Dam and Qaraqozak Bridge, according to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
The SDF countered the offensive with a series of decisive actions. They captured five SNA fighters, shot down a Turkish drone, and destroyed a Turkish Aselsan SERHAT-DUAL Counter Mortar Radar near the Tishrin Dam.
Employing FPV kamikaze drones equipped with PG-7VT tandem warheads and possible air-dropped high-explosive mortar bombs, the SDF targeted SNA positions, causing considerable damage.
#Syria 🇸🇾: Syrian Democratic Forces (#SDF) conducted Drone Strikes against Syrian National Army (formerly #TFSA) near Tishrin Dam, #Aleppo.
— War Noir (@war_noir) December 18, 2024
Group used FPV Kamikaze Drones with PG-7VT Tandem warheads and possible air-dropped #Bulgaria-made 🇧🇬 60mmHE (or similar) mortar bomb. pic.twitter.com/zczt1IfGba
Despite the ongoing conflict, the Manbij Military Council (MMC) shared video evidence confirming that the Tishrin Dam "has not fully fallen into enemy hands."
The SDF's Manbij Military Council released footage of two FPV strikes and two drone drop strikes against TFSA fighters/positions/equipment in the vicinity of the Tishrin Dam.pic.twitter.com/0NJ5ckJtgI
— Woofers (@NotWoofers) December 18, 2024
Heavy fighting continues on the outskirts of the city, with SNA forces maintaining partial access to the dam. YPG fighters are also actively participating in the battle.
#Syria 🇸🇾🇹🇷🇺🇸🔥SDF/YPG soldiers in tunnels in the Tishreen Dam area.
— Report Warfare 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 🇺🇲 (@ReportWarfare) December 19, 2024
Heavy fighting with the SNA and Türkiye is taking place both at the dam and around the Qarah Qawzak bridge. pic.twitter.com/xS4W78ZzQw
