Furat

Furat, also spelled Fırat in Turkish and Al-Furat in Arabic, is a major river in Western Asia and a central part of the Euphrates basin. It rises in eastern Anatolia in Turkey from the headstreams Karasu and Murat and generally flows southwest, crossing into Syria and then Iraq. The river traverses the Syrian and Iraqi plains and, together with the Tigris, eventually contributes waters that form the Shatt al-Arab before emptying into the Persian Gulf.

The Furat covers a long course through arid and semi-arid regions and supports large populations along its banks. It is about 2,800 kilometers in length, and its basin spans portions of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. The river provides irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power, and it has been central to agriculture and settlement in Mesopotamia for millennia. In Turkey, several large dams and reservoirs—built under the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP)—control flow for energy and irrigation, influencing downstream discharge in Syria and Iraq.

Environmental and political issues surround the river. Dams and water management reduce downstream flow, alter sediment transport, and heighten tensions over water-sharing among the three countries. Climate change and regional drought further stress water availability, affecting farming, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

Historically, the Euphrates valley hosted early civilizations and ancient cities such as Mari, Uruk, and Babylon. Today, the river remains vital for agriculture, industry, and culture across Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, while facing ongoing water-resource challenges.