Tishrin Dam and Qereqozax Bridge have been at the center of heavy attacks by the Turkish military and its Syrian National Army (SNA) proxies since December 8. These attacks represent an escalation in the Turkish state’s broader efforts to invade territories governed by the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria (AANES), following clashes initiated by HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) and its allies in Aleppo on 27 November 2023.

Journalist Demhat Tolhildan talked with ANF about these attacks and the resistance to them.

How does Turkey’s desire to control Tishrin Dam and Qereqozax Bridge affect its strategic objectives in Kobanê and the surrounding areas?

Tishrin Dam is critical for the region's water and electricity supply, while Qereqozax Bridge is a strategic point on the M4 highway, because it serves as a vital trade route. Controlling these locations would grant Turkey dominance over the areas east and west of the Euphrates. It is with this aim in mind, that Turkey plans to expand its attacks on Kobanê, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Tabqa, Sheikhler, and Sirin. However, the resistance at Tishrin and Qereqozax thwarted these ambitions.

Following this resistance, Turkish occupation plans for Kobanê were effectively halted. Turkey had aimed to secure both sides of the Euphrates and ultimately occupy the entirety of Northern and Eastern Syria. If Tishrin and Qereqozax had fallen, areas like Derik, Hasakah, and Qamishlo would have faced severe threats. The resistance carried out at these two critical points safeguarded Northern and Eastern Syria, and overturned Turkey’s expectations.

Are Turkish forces directly involved in the conflict?

Turkish soldiers, reconnaissance aircraft, and other military units have actively participated in the conflict since it began. The military equipment, tanks, armored vehicles, and personnel carriers used in the attacks are entirely under Turkish command. Despite this, Turkish-backed militias failed to advance and were repelled at both critical locations. Recently, Turkish warplanes intensified their bombardments, escalating their involvement in the conflict.

Are the attacks expanding beyond Tishrin and Qereqozax, particularly in the Ain Issa and Tel Tamir axis?

Attacks are ongoing across multiple regions, from Kobanê to Derik, involving reconnaissance flights and heavy weaponry. Turkish-backed militias also attempted incursions in rural areas of Ain Issa, Girê Spî, and Serêkaniyê, but they were repelled. These attacks are not new; for over two years, Turkey has targeted Northern and Eastern Syria’s infrastructure with unrelenting attacks aimed at undermining the people's morale, will, and psychological situation.

While the clashes are concentrated at Tishrin and Qereqozax, the broader aim of Turkey and its jihadist proxies is to dismantle the Autonomous Administration. The democratic model established by the AANES poses a significant threat to Turkish ambitions. Turkey seeks to impose a system that serves its interests by increasing its attacks on the Autonomous Administration, targeting not just Northern and Eastern Syria but the entire region.

What impact does the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) resistance have on a broader scale?

The SDF and its components have demonstrated remarkable ability in confronting these attacks. Their resistance has resonated across Syria, inspiring hope and reaffirming that submission to occupation forces is not inevitable. By organizing and resisting, the SDF has shown that societies can achieve victory.

Minority groups across Syria, including Alawites, Druze, and Christians, view the SDF’s resistance as a source of morale. Many of these communities wish to align with the Autonomous Administration, as no other force in Syria offers a comparable model for coexistence. The system established in Northern and Eastern Syria provides a framework for communal living, and many people are actively participating in the resistance, strengthening the collective will to struggle.

What is the situation of the population in Manbij and Shehba, where Turkish-backed militias have taken control?

In Manbij and Shehba, much of the population was forced to flee because of the violence. Those who remain face extreme conditions under the militias, including confiscation of property, looting, torture, and other atrocities. These practices highlight the dire situation for the local population and raise serious concerns about Syria’s future. Turkey has created and empowered these militias to terrorize the local population, eroding any hope for a democratic or peaceful resolution.

The militias primarily consist of foreign fighters from countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Chechnya, recruited by Turkey and deployed as agents of destruction. These groups have brought nothing but devastation and mass killings to Syria, leaving no room for reconciliation or democratic progress.

What are the potential international implications of Turkey's ongoing attacks, particularly those against the Euphrates region?

The atrocities committed by Turkish-backed militias are widely recognized. So is the SDF’s resistance. Unfortunately, there has been little international protest against these crimes. These militias must be stopped, or they will continue to escalate their attacks, encouraged by a lack of accountability.

The efforts of these groups to erase Syria's diverse and pluralistic character and replace it with a monolithic, authoritarian structure pose a grave danger to the country’s future. If international powers wish to develop meaningful relations with Syria, they must support the Syrian people against these attacks. The Autonomous Administration and the SDF offer a viable and inclusive model for Syria’s future, which deserves global recognition and backing.