Satellite imagery recorded rapid changes in the water surfaces of several dams in southern Syria in September 2026, as authorities took emergency management measures to address both drought and pollution. The main focus was Daraa Governorate, where water conditions directly determine the fate of agriculture. Al Jazeera’s Open Source unit analyzed time series from Sentinel-2 imagery to track changes at three dams before and after the water transfer and discharges.
The most noticeable changes occurred at Tsil Dam. From September 21, the reservoir appeared severely contracted, with water remaining only in the deepest part of the basin while broad stretches of land were exposed around it. By September 23, slight expansion had begun along the northern edges. After September 26, when the water transfer began, the water surface clearly grew larger and the exposed clay banks began to recede. In the October 6 image, the reservoir had expanded particularly significantly compared with September 21, covering a substantial portion of areas that had previously been dry.
The reason was a decision by the Daraa Water Resources Directorate to send approximately 500,000 cubic meters of water to Tsil. But the measure had a downside: Ghadir al-Bustan Dam, from which the water was taken, began to shrink noticeably. On September 23, its reservoir still appeared relatively broad, around the time pumping began. By October 3, however, the water level had fallen considerably, and dry strips of land appeared along the northern and southern edges—a visible indication of how much water had been taken to save Tsil and nearby crops. The Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA, reported that on September 24 the directorate began transferring approximately 500,000 cubic meters from Ghadir al-Bustan to Tsil, completing the operation on September 27.
Daraa Water Resources Director Hani Abdullah explained that the operation was necessary to replenish Tsil’s depleted reserves, which were intended to irrigate surrounding lands. He said the water was needed to support farmers and ensure continuous irrigation of active crops, particularly potatoes and vegetables, while maintaining constant oversight of water reserves and the needs of agricultural areas. This was not the first such measure of the year: on April 21, the directorate announced an additional release of water from Tsil to support crops. At the time, SANA reported that the dam held approximately 3.8 million cubic meters, with water being directed to irrigate around 600 hectares of crops and fruit trees. Such measures show how heavily the authorities depend on transferring water between dams and redistributing available resources.
Another crisis area is Ibtaa Dam. On September 18, 2026, the directorate announced emergency intervention to address stagnant and polluted water in its reservoir. The plan called for opening the spillway and discharging the polluted water through an approximately 10-kilometer earth canal into the reservoir of the West Tafas Dam. At the same time, intensive laboratory testing was carried out to monitor water quality and ensure that it was safe for irrigation. SANA linked the pollution to a sharp decline in the inflow of fresh water in recent years and the dam’s heavy reliance on partially treated wastewater.
Sentinel-2 imagery confirms the dramatic changes at Ibtaa. On September 16, the body of water appeared extensive and dark green, which may indicate an accumulation of algae and stagnant water. As the discharge began on September 21 and 23, the reservoir gradually contracted. By September 26, it had receded even further—a response to the opening of the spillway and the diversion of water toward Tafas. Against this backdrop, the directorate intensified warnings to farmers in the areas of Tsil, Ghadir al-Bustan, Nawa and nearby villages, insisting on strict compliance with the agricultural plan and an end to unauthorized interference in irrigation networks.
All these emergency measures are unfolding against a backdrop of a sustained decline in groundwater levels and a reduction in annual inflows. Local authorities face a dual challenge: saving the current agricultural season while ensuring a sustainable supply of drinking water to the cities and villages of southern Syria. The story of the Tsil, Ghadir al-Bustan and Ibtaa dams shows that the struggle for water in Daraa has become not merely a seasonal problem, but a constant test of resilience for the agricultural sector and local communities.
News Comments
Where exactly in Daraa Governorate are the Tsil, Ghadir al-Bustan and Ibtaa dams located, and which settlements and agricultural lands depend on the water from each of them? — All three dams are located in Daraa Governorate in southwestern Syria, within the Yarmouk Basin. Tsil is situated near the settlement of the same name in the southwestern part of the governorate; Ghadir al-Bustan is near the village of the same name in the northwest; and Ibtaa is near the town of Ibtaa in the central-eastern/northeastern part. Each dam primarily serves the settlement it is named after and the surrounding agricultural lands. The exact list depends on the canal network and the season, but the affected area generally includes neighboring villages and farms in the same wadi.
How is the Daraa Water Resources Directorate connected to Syria’s central Ministry of Water Resources, and what powers does its director, Hani Abdullah, have? — The Daraa Water Resources Directorate is a local branch of Syria’s Ministry of Water Resources. It reports to the central ministry, implements its policies at the governorate level, manages state dams, canals and pumping stations, issues water-use permits and tackles violations. As its director, Hani Abdullah has administrative and technical authority within Daraa, including water allocation, infrastructure operation and maintenance, oversight of illegal connections, and preparation of proposals for the ministry. Major decisions concerning interprovincial and transboundary waters remain the responsibility of the central authorities.
What does “unauthorized interference in irrigation networks” mean in the Syrian context, and why is it being addressed specifically in Daraa? — In the Syrian context, “unauthorized interference in irrigation networks” includes illegal connections to canals and pipes, installing pumps without permission, opening or closing gates, building makeshift dams, illegally drilling wells, and taking water outside the established schedule. Daraa is cracking down on these practices because of severe water shortages, the agricultural nature of its economy, competition between farmers and districts, and efforts by the central authorities to restore control over water infrastructure after the conflict and prevent local groups from taking it over.
How are Daraa’s dams and canals connected to the Yarmouk River Basin and the transboundary distribution of water between Syria, Jordan and Israel? — Daraa’s dams and canals lie within the Yarmouk Basin. They collect winter and spring water that would otherwise flow into the Yarmouk and direct it toward irrigation in the governorate. The Yarmouk flows along the Syrian-Jordanian border, then through Jordan before joining the Jordan River; downstream are Jordan and Israel. Water distribution is governed mainly by bilateral agreements: the 1987 Syrian-Jordanian agreement and the 1994 Jordanian-Israeli agreement. Because Syria is upstream, its dams and canals in Daraa affect the volume of flow available to Jordan and, indirectly, Israel. They are therefore part of transboundary water politics.
Full version: Satellite Images Track Southern Syria’s Dams’ Response to Drought and Pollution