SORGUL ŞÊXO

Tishreen- For the people living in Mesopotamia, spring becomes a season renewing the determination to fight. Since December 2024, the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions have carried out many attacks to take control of the Tishreen Dam. In response to the attacks, the people starting the revolution in northeastern Syria launched a civilian vigil to defend and protect their dam. Since January 8, 2025, at least 23 civilians have been killed and more than 270 others have been injured in Turkish strikes targeting civilians.

Collective spirit

On March 8, 2025, the vigil on the Tishreen Dam entered its second month. Hundreds of civilians from all ages defend their dam despite everything, acting together with a common spirit. After fasting, they eat two or three dates at iftar and then pray for the fighters to achieve victory.

Witnessing historic moments

On the Tishreen Dam, nights are spent by people witnessing historic moments and dancing halay. They document these moments by taking photographs so that these historic moments are not forgotten or disappear.

‘The IWD that celebrated by us on the dam should go down in history’

On International Women’s Day, March 8, was celebrated on the dam by not only women and men chanting the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” slogan.

“I am on the Tishreen Dam to protect the gains achieved by fighters,” said Leyla Hac Hisên, one of the women resisting on the dam. “Our water, our land, our streams were liberated by the blood of our fighters. As mothers, we are here to protect these gains. My son is fighting on the frontline to defend our dam while I am resisting here to defend our dam. The Tishreen Dam is the energy source for all the people in North and East Syria such as Kobanê and Raqqa. Today is International Women’s Day and we celebrate our day on the dam. International Women’s Day that is celebrated by us on the dam should go down in history.”

‘International forces must take a stand against the attacks’

During the rule of the Baathist regime, women in Syria celebrated International Women’s Day secretly at home. “We used to celebrate our day secretly at home but today we celebrate it on the Tishreen Dam. We do not want war but peace. But if someone attacks us, we will respond to them. We call on the Turkish state to stop its attacks. International forces must take a stand against the attacks.”

‘Our morale is high’

‘Our morale is high. On the 60th day of the vigil, we say once again that we will protect this dam with our blood, our lives and our children,” said Sîham Xelîl, another woman resisting on the Tishreen Dam. “This dam is ours and we protect it. No one from another country comes to protect us. As women, we do our best to defend and protect our country. We will not give up our cause. International forces must take urgent action to end the attacks.”

‘We will keep defending our dam’

“We demand freedom and democracy,” said an Arab woman singing songs on the dam.

“Dancing halay is a resistance for us,” said another woman dancing halay on the Dam. “We will keep defending our dam as long as it is at risk.”