Syria’s Tishreen Dam under siege: German aid worker injured in Turkish drone strike
🚨#SOS: Six dead, over 20 injured as Turkish airstrikes escalate at northern Syria’s Tishreen (TiĹźrĂ®n) Dam. German aid worker Jakob Rihn, who was injured in the attacks, has called for urgent… pic.twitter.com/2XaRR2JZvv
— MedyaNews (@1MedyaNews) January 19, 2025
On 18 January, Turkish airstrikes targeted a peaceful civilian sit-in at the Tishreen (Tişrîn) Dam on the Euphrates River in northern Syria, killing six and injuring over 20. Among the injured was Jakob Rihn, a German physiotherapist and aid worker, who was present to document the humanitarian crisis and participate in the demonstration.
The attacks, carried out by drones and warplanes, have turned the vital dam into a battlefield, depriving over 400,000 residents of electricity and water since December. The targets of the airstrikes have escalated to include civilian convoys and infrastructure, with the massacre of protestors on 18 January marking only the latest tragedy in a series of attacks since the vigil for the Tishreen Dam began.
Rihn’s account of the attack was brought to public attention through a social media post by Janosch Tries, a freelancer social media influencer. Tries highlighted Rihn’s plea for a no-fly zone and international action to prevent further casualties.
In a video message, Rihn said:
“I came to record the devastation here today, but a Turkish drone bombed us among the civilians. I was injured, but others were killed. These attacks must stop. A dam breach would destroy the foundation of thousands of lives.”
Since 10 December, the Tishreen Dam has been out of operation due to sustained Turkish attacks, depriving the local population of electricity and water. “The people here are defending their livelihood — their electricity, their water, their very survival,” said Rihn. “A dam breach would destroy the foundation of thousands of lives.”
Civil society movements have formed around the dam, organising peaceful demonstrations to demand an end to the bombings. These protests have drawn widespread support but have also become a target of Turkish aggression. The sit-in at Tishreen (Tişrîn) Dam, now in its 12th day, continues despite the risks.
Turkey has launched seven separate airstrikes on the dam area since the protests began, using drones and warplanes. These attacks have also targeted civilian convoys travelling to the site, including a group from Jazeera (Cizîrê) Canton, included the cities of Qamishli (Qamişlo), Hasakah (Hasekê) and al-Malikiyah (Derik) that arrived on 17 January. In addition, nearby towns and villages, such as Sarin (Sirîn) and the coutryside of Kobani (Kobanê), have suffered airstrikes, with a school in Jadda village nearly destroyed.
The destruction of civilian infrastructure and loss of lives has drawn condemnation from aid organisations, who warn that further damage to the dam could lead to catastrophic flooding and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.
Rihn’s testimony highlights the urgent need for international intervention. “These bombings must stop. The people here deserve the chance to rebuild their lives and create a peaceful future for Syria,” he said. Civil society groups and aid organisations are calling for the establishment of a no-fly zone and increased diplomatic pressure on Turkey to halt its attacks.
