Experts warn: Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Potential Humanitarian Catastrophe at Tishreen Dam

ARK News.. The Strategic Group of Independent Experts on Syria (SSIEG) has stressed the urgent need for immediate action to address the deteriorating situation at the Tishreen Dam, warning of a potential humanitarian catastrophe if the current problems are not resolved immediately.

According to the SSIEG, recent targeting of the structure of the Tishreen Dam in the countryside of Manbij, east of Aleppo, has caused significant damage and prevented maintenance teams from carrying out their duties during a temporary ceasefire. One of the dam's levels has reportedly flooded, with rising water levels threatening to shut down pumps and electrical systems. This could lead to a loss of control over turbine operations and an inability to open spillway gates, which are critical to relieving pressure on the dam.

The group has called on all parties to the conflict to abide by international humanitarian law, which requires the protection of civilian infrastructure and the safety of workers. They have also urged the United Nations and the Humanitarian-Military Coordination Cell in Syria to intervene immediately to assess the situation and facilitate the safe return of the maintenance teams to the site.

Located in Aleppo Governorate, 30 kilometers southeast of Manbij, the Tishreen Dam is a vital piece of infrastructure in the region. It has a storage capacity of 1.9 billion cubic meters, stands 25 meters high and is 900 meters long.

The dam serves as a critical source of power generation and water regulation, making any damage to its structure a serious threat to civilian lives and the sustainability of essential resources.

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