Bombardment on Tishreen Dam protesters leaves injuries

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Thursday reported that an airstrike targeted a convoy at the key Tishreen Dam protesting in support of the Kurdish-led force and against attacks in the area, causing injuries.

“The Turkish occupation forces are again bombing civilians protesting at Tishreen Dam, south of Manbij, with a number of injuries reported as a result of the airstrike,” the SDF said.

It is the second strike on civilian convoys near the Tishreen Dam in two days.

On Wednesday, the SDF also reported civilian casualties in a similar incident. Last week, the first convoy of civilians heading to Tishreen Dam came under a drone attack. Several people were killed and injured.

Turkey and the Syrian militia groups it supports, who call themselves the Syrian National Army (SNA), have recently intensified their attacks on SDF-held areas near Manbij, including Tishreen Dam and Qere Qozaq bridge.

On Saturday, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) appealed to the international community to halt Turkey-backed militant attacks on Tishreen Dam, warning the structure could collapse.

Turkey claims that there are Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members within the ranks of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the backbone of the SDF. Ankara has designated both as terrorist groups.

On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that the YPG would experience a “bitter fate” if they choose to remain operational and not disband.