In a significant development for the region, the Kurdish-led administration and the Syrian government have reached an agreement to jointly manage the Tishrin Dam, a crucial hydroelectric facility in northern Syria. This agreement, finalized on April 10, 2025, marks a potential turning point in cooperation between the two entities, yet faces immediate threats.
Under the agreement, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will withdraw from the dam site, with security responsibilities transferring to a joint authority. The management of the dam will be shared between the Kurdish-led administration and the Syrian government based on mutually agreed terms. This collaborative approach extends to the repair and maintenance of the dam, with the autonomous administration leading efforts in coordination with international partners to ensure the sustainability of its vital services.
However, this agreement comes amid escalating tensions. Since December, the Tishrin Dam has been the target of multiple drone strikes, allegedly carried out by Turkish forces. These attacks have resulted in civilian casualties, according to Kurdish officials and the Syrian Observatory, raising serious concerns about the dam’s safety and the region’s stability.
The timing of this agreement coincides with heightened scrutiny on human rights within Syria. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) recently reported at least 117 cases of arbitrary detention in Syria during March by various parties, with the SDF being implicated in a significant number of these cases. Additionally, the SNHR reported that 222 civilians were killed during February, including 17 children and 37 women, in addition to nine cases of death under torture. The report also highlighted two massacres caused by car bomb explosions in January, resulting in the death of 25 civilians, including two children and 21 women.
Furthermore, tensions in the region are compounded by increased Israeli airstrikes in Syria, with recent attacks targeting Damascus and Hama. These strikes, reportedly aimed at the vicinity of the scientific research center in the Barzeh neighborhood in Damascus and the airport of Hama, have resulted in at least 13 fatalities. The Syrian government has strongly condemned Israel’s actions, while Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that the airstrikes serve as a warning and a declaration that Israel will not allow its security to be compromised.
The joint management of the Tishrin Dam represents a pivotal moment that could either foster cooperation or exacerbate existing conflicts. The threat of Turkish drone strikes looms large, potentially undermining the agreement and further destabilizing the region. As key stakeholders navigate this complex landscape, the future of the Tishrin Dam and the surrounding area hangs in the balance.