March 2025: Save the Tigris Foundation has released the Cizre Dam Watch Report, a comprehensive investigation into the risks posed by the planned Cizre Dam project in southeastern Türkiye. The report brings urgent attention to the threats to water security, cultural heritage, and the safety of downstream communities in Iraq and Syria.

Executive Summary:

The Cizre Dam Watch Report offers an in-depth analysis of the potential consequences of the dam project, developed with limited public consultation and lacking cross-border coordination. It underscores the risks of dam failure, environmental degradation, and irreversible damage to archaeological and ecological sites. Built in a seismically active region and prone to extreme weather, the dam could have catastrophic consequences for hundreds of thousands of people.

Key Findings:

Lack of transparency and accountability
The project has been developed over the past decade with minimal public disclosure. Critical documents, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAR), have not been made widely available, undermining the right of affected communities to informed consultation.

Threats to water security in Iraq and Syria
The report warns that the combined operation of the Ilısu and Cizre dams could drastically reduce water flow into Iraq and Syria, particularly in dry months. Water reaching the border would likely be polluted and harmful to both humans and ecosystems.

Endangerment of cultural heritage
More than 50 archaeological sites and ancient fortresses, including Roman-Parthian structures, lie within the area to be flooded. The EIAR fails to adequately assess these irreplaceable cultural assets, many of which risk total submersion or severe damage.

Seismic and climate risks
The dam is planned in a tectonically sensitive region. Evaluations of seismic risk appear based on outdated or overly optimistic assumptions, ignoring the devastating earthquakes of 2023. Furthermore, the threat of extreme flooding linked to climate change is grossly underestimated.

Recommendations:

The Save the Tigris Foundation urges Türkiye and all stakeholders to take immediate action:

1. Ensure full transparency and public access to the Environmental Impact Assessment and related documents.
2. Suspend construction and initiate a comprehensive re-evaluation of the project’s impact, including the “no-dam” option.
3. Establish cross-border consultations with Iraq and Syria on the shared management of the Tigris River.
4. Protect downstream communities by adhering to international safety and human rights standards.
5. Prioritize the preservation of cultural and natural heritage for future generations.

📄 Download the full report in English

📄 Download the brief report in English

📄 Download the brief report in Arabic

📄 Download the brief report in Turkish