Turkish army reaches the two banks of the Euphrates in Deir Ezzor with a floating bridge
The Turkish Ministry of Defense officially announced the completion of the construction of the 240-meter-long pontoon military bridge over the Euphrates River in Deir Ezzor province, in a stepdescribed as a strategic shift that reflects the level of military and logistical coordination between the Syrian and Turkish armies after the political change in Syria at the end of 2024 (the fall of the Assad regime).
In a post on the "X" platform, the ministry explained that the army's engineering brigade established the 240-meter-long pontoon bridge over the Euphrates River, considering that "the capabilities and capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces are not only limited to security, but also provide solutions that facilitate daily life."
The ministry confirmed that once the inspection and audit procedures for the safety of the crossing are completed, the bridge will be officially opened to allow use by the people of the area by linking the two banks of the river and facilitating the movement of people and goods.
A source in Deir Ezzor province told "Syrian News" that the bridge is engineered to carry commercial trucks and heavy vehicles with a load of up to 70 tons and connects the coastal road of Al-Alis on the west bank (Shamiya) and the town of Hatla on the east bank (Al-Jazeera) in the countryside of Deir Ezzor.
The source explained that the bridge is currently undergoing a technical inspection period of 48 hours before entering full service for the movement of people and goods, pointing out that the bridge will be an emergency step to end months of daily suffering for the people in commuting until the completion of the rehabilitation works of the destroyed fixed bridges, especially the Al-Siyasi Bridge.
A comprehensive logistical plan for the reconstruction of the "Al-Siyasiya" bridge
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing, in coordination with the Deir Ezzor City Council, announced the start of the implementation of the logistical and technical plan for the reconstruction of the "Al-Siya" fixed bridge, as it is the most priority project in the governorate, due to its vital role in linking the city center to its northern entrance and the countryside of the island.
The first phase, which will continue until the end of July, includes the removal of rubble and structural audits, where heavy machinery is working to lift the concrete blocks and metal structures damaged from the Euphrates River, while a team of engineers and divers is in charge of inspecting the sunken concrete bases to ensure their safety and ability to withstand heavy weights after reconstruction.
The second phase will start in August 2026, where the General Company for Roads and Bridges will pour the new concrete bases and install prefabricated metal joists to replace the collapsed parts, in addition to expanding the width of the bridge to two separate lanes for cars, with the addition of safe side walkways for pedestrians.
Inauguration of Jisr Al-Siasiya in the first quarter of 2027
The Ministry of Works confirmed that the bridge will be in service during the first quarter of 2027 after the completion of the final phase, which includes paving operations with the asphalt mangrove and the preparation of metal safety barriers, in addition to providing the bridge with a lighting system that works entirely on solar energy to ensure continuous operation without relying on the public grid.
The ministry stated that an exceptional joint budget has been allocated between the public treasury and the Syrian sovereign fund, and immediate contracts have been signed with cement factories and steel factories to supply materials at subsidized prices, in addition to bringing in giant cranes with a load exceeding 150 tons to stabilize the huge tributaries.
Unlike the limited temporary pontoon bridge with a weight of 70 tons, the "Al-Siyasiya" bridge will operate at its full design capacity without any restrictions on cargo, boosting trade and facilitating logistics in the governorate.
Deir Ezzor Trade: The Turkish Bridge WillRevive the Movement of Goods
Estimates issued by the Deir Ezzor Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Industry, stated that the operation of the temporary Turkish military bridge will contribute to achieving a qualitative leap in the movement of trade exchange between the two banks of the Euphrates ranging from 150% to 200% during the first three months.
She predicted that the daily value of goods in transit will exceed $2.5 million, equivalent to about 350 million Syrian pounds according to the updated prices, pointing out that the increase will be accompanied by the cancellation of the costs of long detours and the dangers of river ferries, which will reopen direct transport lines between the countryside and the city.
The Deir Ezzor Chamber of Commerce pointed out that putting the bridge into service would bring about clear transformations in the province's markets through a decrease in the prices of goods in the countryside of the island by up to 30%, in addition to the return of the central cardamom market to its traditional role, the stability of the supply of fuel to the agricultural sector, in addition to the recovery of the transport sector and the return of thousands of trucks to daily work.
The Directorate of Internal Trade has set up observation points at the entrances of the bridge to control the movement of trucks and ensure that the maximum load of the temporary bridge does not exceed 70 tons, until the construction of the fixed Al-Sisiyah Bridge is completed.