Turkish-backed SNA prevents journalists from covering cracks in dam in Syria’s Afrin
AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – On Wednesday, Sultan Murad faction, affiliated to the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition factions, also known as the Syrian National Army (SNA), banned journalists and activists’ entry to Maydanki lake Dam in Sharan district in Afrin countryside to monitor cracks in the dam and risks of its collapse following the earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey on Feb. 6.
Two days ago, activists publicized video footages for longitudinal and transverse cracks in the dam’s body due the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
An exclusive source told North Press a checkpoint of the Sultan Murad faction on the outskirts of the dam prevented activists and journalist from entering to the cover the site of cracks in the dam.
The city of Afrin and its countryside have been occupied by Turkey and affiliated Syrian opposition factions since an invasion in March 2018.
The source added that the faction’s pretext for banning the entry is that there is a Turkish military base and a number of headquarters for the SNA in the area.
It noted that the water level and stock in the dam is low because it supplies the city of Afrin and its suburbs through Sharan water station.
Activists warned of drowning risks in case of any collapses in the dam.
The engineering office of the Turkish-backed local council of Afrin claimed it checked the dam and that “initial results of safety deep checks showed that the dam’s walls have no leakages and the dam gate has no cracks.”
The office noted that the dam withstands earthquakes of up to 8 on the Richter scale.
On Feb. 6, residents in Syria and Turkey woke to a 7.9 magnitude earthquake that has resulted in the killing and injuring of thousands of people and devastating a big number of residential building under which thousands are said to be still trapped.
The victims’ toll of the strong earthquakes in Syria has reached 2.098 dead and 4.106 injured, according to North Press’ Monitoring and Documentation Department.
In Turkey, the deaths have mounted to 6.234 and injuries to 37.011, according the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).