Syrian Army advances toward control of Tishreen Dam from US-backed forces VIDEO/PHOTO

The Syrian army has moved closer to assuming control of the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo province, positioning troops around the key infrastructure site previously controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the PKK/YPG, designated as a terrorist organisation by Türkiye.

According to Syria TV, citing official sources, Syrian troops entered the outskirts of the dam area and established military outposts, Caliber.Az reports.

The deployment appears to be a preparatory step for the formal handover of the dam to the Syrian government.

The Tishreen Dam, situated near the city of Manbij, had long been under the control of PKK/YPG-aligned formations. However, significant political developments preceded the latest military activity.

On March 10, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the YPG, signed an agreement to integrate all civilian and military institutions of the Kurdish autonomous administration in northern and northeastern Syria into the state structures of the Syrian Arab Republic.

This political shift was followed by a US-mediated deal between Syrian authorities, the SDF, and Türkiye for the phased transfer of the Tishreen Dam to Syrian government control.

In line with the agreement, Syrian troops are to be deployed around the dam, and technical brigades from Damascus have already begun maintenance and modernisation operations at the facility.

Türkiye’s Ministry of Defence announced it is closely observing the implementation of the dam transfer agreement, underscoring the regional importance of the development.

The Syrian army’s deployment has coincided with renewed tensions in the area, which had seen relative calm over the past month.

Syria TV reported that Damascus has sent additional reinforcements to zones that had previously experienced clashes with PKK/YPG forces.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Turkish drones launched airstrikes near the dam after a fighter from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) was killed. The situation on the ground remains tense, with both sides maintaining a high level of alert in the strategically significant region.

By Tamilla Hasanova