Where does the Euphrates River originate from?

Euphrates River

The Euphrates River is one of the most famous rivers in the Middle East, and the longest river in southwest Asia with a length of 2 km. It is one of the main components of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Euphrates River originates from Turkey, and flows southeast Syria through Iraq. The Euphrates River consists of two rivers in Asia flows towards the west to meet at one point, so their waters flow south, penetrating the southern Taurus mountain range, then the river flows to the southeast, and many branches join it before passing through the Syrian lands.

Cities on the Euphrates River

• Turkey: Samsat, Al-Bireh, Erzincan, Keban.
• Syrian Arab Republic: Jarabulus, Al-Thawra, Deir Ezzor, Al-Raqqa, Al-Mayadeen, Al-Bukamal.
• Iraq: Hindi, Karbala, Diwaniyah, Shamiya, Kufa, Samawah, Ramadi, Fallujah.

The shortage of the Euphrates River

• The Euphrates River receives most of its water through precipitation and snow melting.
• The waters of the Euphrates River rise particularly dramatically during the months from April to May.
• The Euphrates River water flow decreases during summer and autumn.
• The main source of the Euphrates River is in eastern Turkey, then it flows into the Persian Gulf, and on its way it passes through Turkey, Syria and Iraq.
• Many civilizations flourished on the banks of the Euphrates River during ancient times, and one of its most important civilizations was the Mesopotamian Empire that was part of the so-called Fertile Crescent.
• The Euphrates was often used as a border between different kingdoms, as it was the scene of battles in ancient times.
• The Euphrates River was part of the “Silk Road,” a trade route that ran through Central Asia and Mesopotamia, and the Syrian city of Aleppo was a major stop along the famous trade route.
• Babylon, considered the most important city in the ancient world, was built along the Euphrates River.
• Many large dams were built along the Euphrates River, the most important of which was the Euphrates Dam, which reached a height of 200 feet.
• Although the Euphrates River is still one of the most important rivers around the world, it faced many problems that affected it negatively, turning the fertile soil into a barren, dry land.

The Euphrates River in the monotheistic religions

The Euphrates River was mentioned in the Christian and Islamic religions. As for Christianity, the verse from Genesis mentioned that the Euphrates is one of the rivers of Paradise. Then it was mentioned after that in the Islamic religion, so it came in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: (Sihan, Jihan, the Euphrates and the Nile are all of the rivers of Paradise) [Sahih Hadith].

Finally, despite the great importance that the Euphrates River occupies in the Middle East, today it faces many problems resulting from neglect, such as pollution resulting from the transfer of sewage water to it.