Euphrates Levels Rise in Babil, Reviving Local Agriculture

ANBAR, Iraq — Water levels in the Euphrates River have risen significantly in Kefal district, south of Babil province, after years of severe drought that began in 2020. The recovery has allowed fishermen to resume operations, agricultural activities to pick up, and pasture conditions to improve across the area. During the drought years, agricultural production fell sharply as river tributaries and marshlands dried up. Many buffalo breeders were forced to relocate collectively, and milk and dairy output declined substantially. The return of abundant rainfall during the 2025-2026 winter season, combined with water discharges from Turkey, helped restore the river's flow. Meanwhile, in Anbar province's Qaim district, authorities responded on May 30 to emergency conditions caused by heavy water releases from Syria's Tabqa Dam. A local water treatment station was temporarily shut down but resumed operations after officials intervened.