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Farmer Issa al-Moussa surveyed his submerged wheat fields in eastern Syria, a casualty of recent flooding along the Euphrates River. Heavy rainfall and increased water flows originating from Turkey inundated farmland and homes in the Raqa and Deir Ezzor provinces. The rising waters also washed out bridges, disrupted transportation, and knocked out crucial water pumping stations for drinking and irrigation.

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I ploughed my land, which is six dunams (6,000 square meters) in size, and each dunam cost me one million liras ($75)... This land is lost.

"I ploughed my land, which is six dunams (6,000 square meters) in size, and each dunam cost me one million liras ($75)... This land is lost," Moussa told AFP, estimating his income source for his family was gone. Syrian authorities described the water level rise as "exceptional," attributing it to "significant and unprecedented" increases in water flows from Turkey. The energy ministry stated that Turkey's warning about the rising water levels came too late.

Farmers in the affected areas, many of whom rely heavily on agriculture, expressed frustration at not being warned early enough to protect their crops and equipment. "We were not informed that dams would open... our lands are gone," Moussa added. The energy minister confirmed that Turkey's warning arrived late. While Turkish media cited official sources claiming "controlled water releases" from the Ataturk Dam due to heavy rainfall, no official statement from Damascus regarding coordination with Ankara has been issued.

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We were not informed that dams would open... our lands are gone.

The floods, described as the worst in 30 years, have forced authorities to reinforce barriers and prepare for potential evacuations. The disruption to infrastructure, including the collapse of a temporary bridge, has also made crossing the river difficult, with residents now relying on dangerous boat crossings. The widespread damage to crops means no harvests for many, exacerbating the economic hardship.

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Türkiye’s warning to us about the rising water levels of the Euphrates River came too late.