Iraq’s Anbar on maximum alert over rising Euphrates water levels from Syria

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s western province of Anbar declared Saturday “maximum alert in the districts of Qaim, Rawa, and Anah to deal with rising Euphrates River levels caused by incoming water flows from Syria,” state media reported.

Qaim district mayor Turki Mohammed told Iraqi state media that water levels have risen by “about 1.5 meters since the start of the surge,” but stressed that the situation remains “under control and poses no threat to residential areas along the riverbanks.”

The alert was issued after reports that large quantities of water were released from Syria’s Tabqa Dam, prompting local authorities to activate emergency plans and reinforce vulnerable sections of the Euphrates riverbanks.

The mayor said joint teams from security, municipal, and water resources departments identified weak points along the river and carried out urgent reinforcement works.

In Rawa, mayor Khalid Waleed Majid said the district had not recorded any dangerous increases in water levels.

“The current increase remains within normal limits and is under continuous monitoring by the relevant departments,” Majid said, adding that all service and security agencies remain on full alert.

Meanwhile, Anah mayor Radhwan Dheeb Nazzal said authorities activated joint operations rooms and mobilized service and security agencies to monitor the situation and support flood prevention efforts in areas at risk.

Nazzal said Anah remains outside the danger zone due to its elevation, stressing that “the water situation in the district is under complete control.”

The alert comes days after Turkey opened the spillway gates of the Ataturk Dam on the Euphrates River for the first time in seven years, citing heavy winter and spring rainfall that brought the reservoir close to full capacity.

Syrian authorities said the increased water flow flooded at least 50 water stations along the river and prompted the establishment of a joint operations room in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor to monitor rising water levels.

Syrian officials said Turkey has been releasing about 2,000 cubic meters of water per second downstream with all spillway gates open.