Fighting flares near key Syrian dam as Turkish military presses advance VIDEO

The Turkish military, alongside the Syrian National Army (SNA), has intensified operations in the eastern part of Manbij, launching heavy air and ground assaults.

Their objective is to seize two strategically critical locations — the Teshreen Dam and the Qarrah Qarquzaq Bridge — facilitating advances toward the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, Caliber.Az reports via the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)

Reports from the SOHR confirm that Turkish artillery fire and airstrikes have targeted positions surrounding the Teshreen Dam. No casualties have been reported so far.

🚨 Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri, Ayn el Arab'ın güneyindeki terör örgütü hedeflerini vuruyor. pic.twitter.com/mayQ3FyQha

— Conflict (@ConflictTR) January 8, 2025

SOHR sources also revealed that clashes between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) — identified by Türkiye as affiliates of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization — and the SNA resumed in the vicinity of the Sad Teshrin Dam and the Qorah Qozak Bridge following a brief period of relative calm. The renewed fighting erupted only hours after an International Red Crescent delegation had completed an inspection of the dam to assess damage sustained during nearly a month of hostilities.

The Teshreen Dam ranks as the second most important dam on the Euphrates River, after the Euphrates Dam near Tabqa in western Raqqa, and the Baath Dam, situated approximately 30 kilometres east of the Euphrates Dam.

Economists emphasize the dam’s pivotal role claiming that it is one of Syria's vital infrastructure sites and has multifaceted importance. Beyond being a critical source of hydroelectric power, the dam supplies energy and water to the surrounding areas, making its control a lever of "political and economic influence in the region."

The dam, which began operations in 1999, is located about 115 kilometres (71 miles) from Aleppo, 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Manbij, and roughly 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the Turkish border. Its primary function remains electricity generation, providing essential resources to the local population.

By Tamilla Hasanova