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Liberation Campaign of the Martyrs Dam / Tishreen Dam

Liberation Campaign of the Martyrs Dam / Tishreen Dam

After the liberation of the city of Kobani and its outskirts, as well as several towns including al-Shuyukh, Ayn Issa, and Sarrin, from the control of the terrorist organization ISIS, the Syrian Democratic Forces announced the start of the Liberation Campaign of Tishreen Dam on December 23, 2015. At that time, the Syrian Democratic Forces were still relatively new, having been formed on October 11, 2015, during a conference. The forces under its banner included the formations and military units such as the People’s Protection Units (YPG), Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), Sun of the North Brigades, Saladin Brigade, Syriac Military Council, Sanadid Forces, Raqqa Revolutionaries Front, Army of Revolutionaries, Kurdish Front, Manbij Revolutionaries, Idlib Revolutionaries, Northern Democratic Brigade, and the Guardians of the Two Holy Mosques.

Later, the military councils formed in all the cities liberated from ISIS, such as Manbij, Raqqa, Tabqa, Geri Spi, Deir Ezzor,Al-Howl, Shaddadi, and in regions like Serikaniye, Hasakah, and Jazeera, joined the campaign. They managed to completely liberate it within one week, in addition to dozens of villages on its outskirts. Importantly, the dam remained unharmed during the land, village, and hill-clearing operations carried out during the liberation process.”

 

“Tishreen Dam has been a strategically important location for us and the adversary simultaneously. Geographically, it encompasses numerous hills, valleys, and trees. Moreover, it is situated on the international M4 highway, connecting the Jazeera region to the Euphrates region. Additionally, it leads to crossroads such as Kobani, Jarablus, Raqqa, Tabqa, and many surrounding towns, facilitating easy movement and access to these areas. For this reason, ISIS benefited significantly from this location for the transportation of its elements, equipment, and logistical materials in the Euphrates region under its control.”

 

“After a series of victories by the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) in cities and towns, especially in the historic resistance represented by the liberation of Kobani, the tide turned against the Turkish occupation’s hopes of ISIS succeeding in attacking us. At that time, Turkey was preparing to expand its influence at the expense of Kurdish cities and towns.Turkey and its allies had foreseen this situation and expected an opposite outcome.

The enthusiasm and activity among all fighters and leaders increased with these achievements, as they became more informed about the ISIS organizational model and plans. Additionally, everyone gained high combat experience. Thus, reaching Tishreen Dam was of great importance to unify the east and west of the Euphrates and respond to the call of our people in Manbij, who suffered from the oppression and blatant violations of ISIS against the region’s inhabitants.

When the fronts were divided into three main groups, including Kobani and Jazeera forces that actively participated in these campaigns, and with the support of the coalition, ISIS elements could not withstand for long in the Tishreen Dam liberation campaign. After short battles, the defeated remnants of ISIS withdrew from the dam towards Manbij and Raqqa after partially detonating it. This cut off the road for our forces, preventing them from crossing to liberate the remaining cities.

They became certain that the Syrian Democratic Forces would not stop until all Euphrates regions were liberated. However, their plan failed when our forces developed a comprehensive plan in coordination with the coalition on how to cross the river to the other side and resume the liberation campaign. Therefore, our forces employed ships to cross the river, flank the enemy, and encircle them.”

“The forces were prepared and ready for this campaign, despite not taking a moment’s pause during the liberation campaign of Kobani and the opening of the corridor between it and the Jazeera region. The comrades had spent nearly a year fighting without finding any respite. However, the goal of liberating all the areas in northeastern Syria was the driving force that kept all the comrades spirited and active.

 

ISIS’s strength began to decline and retreat on all sides after losing control of the city of Kobani and other areas in each campaign. Therefore, as the People’s Protection Units and Women’s Protection Units, along with all the formations of the Syrian Democratic Forces, began a campaign on three main axes. This plan followed the liberation campaigns of Al-Howl and Al-Shaddadi. During that time, the Syrian Democratic Forces, along with the People’s Protection Units and Women’s Protection Units, launched the “Martyrs Dam/Tishreen Dam Liberation Campaign.” The forces started from the direction of Sarrin, and within only three days, they managed to cover a distance of 40 kilometers and reach the Tishreen Dam.

This campaign was also swift and decisive against ISIS, leading to the liberation of the dam in December 2015. At that time, our forces were determined, resolute, and unwavering in their commitment to carry out a major campaign to liberate their people in the city of Manbij, which ISIS had labeled as the “capital of migrants.” The forces gathered at the Tishreen Dam to prepare for new operations, gearing up for a major campaign to liberate Manbij.

However, the political situation was not conducive to commencing the liberation of Manbij, Jarablus, and Al-Bab at that time. Consequently, the campaigns were put on hold for six months after the liberation of Tishreen Dam.”

 

“Many comrades participated in this campaign, and later they sacrificed their lives in subsequent liberation campaigns, joining with high dedication and a spirit of martyrdom, both among the leadership and fighters. Among them were the heroic martyrs Benki Moush, Kojerin, Hewi Sana, Faisal Abu Layla, Shiar Kurdi, and the comrade martyr Jamshid, along with many other comrades who inscribed the finest epics of heroism in the history of the revolution during the liberation battles.”

 

Gulê Hoşeng

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