ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish authorities in northern Syria have used nearly two weeks of no bombardment on the crucial Tishreen Dam to repair damages caused by months of attacks by militia groups, an official told Rudaw English on Monday.
The dam, located southeast of Manbij city on the Euphrates River, was constructed in 1999 and is one of Syria’s largest in terms of production and capacity. It generates electricity and once provided power to much of the Kurdish-held northeast Syria (Rojava).
But Turkey and the Syrian militia groups it supports have launched attacks on the structure since November, seeking to control the dam for easier access into other areas held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Despite the surrounding area remaining a hotspot of conflict, the dam’s structure has not been attacked for nearly two weeks. Workers have used the brief window of opportunity to repair parts that have been severely damaged by the conflict, a senior dam official told Rudaw English on the condition of anonymity.
“The dam is not in good condition and needs much repair. There is no fear of collapse so far, but the structure has definitely been harmed. We planned to repair the part that transmits electricity [to other areas], but I am not sure if we will succeed,” said the official, fearing renewed attacks on the dam.
He explained that six groups are working at the dam. One group is focused on repairing the electricity, while another is responsible for controlling the water. Some of their computers have stopped working due to bombing and water infiltration.
Syria’s state-owned SANA news agency reported on Saturday that maintenance teams arrived at the key dam to begin repairing the structure for operation.
The dam official said that some workers who live in areas outside Kurdish control have returned to the dam after abandoning it for months due to constant attacks on the structure. He noted that Damascus may have instructed these workers to return to the dam.
“We have not been informed that anyone would be sent [by the central government],” he said, adding that the personnel who returned to the dam had contacted him before making the decision to make sure that their stay would be safe.
Ali Demir, the manager of the dam, has repeatedly warned that a “disaster” could happen if attacks on the structure continue. He also said any huge damage to the dam would pose a threat to the people living downstream, which includes neighboring Iraq.
Convoys of civilians from SDF-held areas have arrived at the dam to form a human shield. Several have been killed while on the way to the dam or during protests. The SDF has blamed Turkey and the militia groups it supports, who call themselves the Syrian National Army (SNA).
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime has paved the way for efforts to announce a nationwide ceasefire in Syria.
The SDF said on Sunday that there are local and international efforts for “a ceasefire across all Syrian territories.”
SDF chief Mazloum Abdi and Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a landmark agreement last month that calls for a ceasefire across Syria.
Kurdish officials in northeast Syria have also hinted at talks between them and Ankara to end tensions despite ongoing clashes.
