Aleppo, Northern Syria- The Syrian transitional government’s Ministry of Defense deployed additional military forces on Monday to the area surrounding the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo province, a key energy and water infrastructure site in northern Syria, a military source told +963.
The source said several new military outposts were established near the dam, but did not elaborate on the reasons behind the deployment. Local media circulated footage showing military units moving toward the dam, located on the Euphrates River.
The move comes after weeks of relative calm in the region, following intermittent clashes earlier this year between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed factions from the Syrian National Army (SNA).
Related: Syrian Presidency Issues Statement on Kurdish Unity Conference
Earlier this month, representatives from the transitional government and the SDF, with oversight from the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, held talks at Tishreen Dam. The meeting focused on implementing a recent agreement aimed at stabilizing the site and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the dam, a vital source of electricity and water for parts of northern Syria.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, both sides agreed to form a joint committee to manage security and administrative functions at the dam. They also committed to halting hostilities in the area to safeguard the infrastructure.
Tishreen Dam, captured from Islamic State by the SDF in 2015 with coalition support, has since been a point of strategic and political contention among various armed actors vying for control in the region. The dam’s stability is seen as critical to broader efforts to prevent further humanitarian and security deterioration in northern Syria.
