Iraq’s Minister of Water Resources, Awun Dhiab, declared an increase in releases from the Tigris River, indicating that Iraq is on the brink of overcoming its water crisis.
The state-run Iraqi news agency, WAA, cited Dhiab stating there has been a notable surge in water releases from the Tigris, although the releases from the Euphrates River remain limited. He underscored that the ministry had exerted significant efforts, including establishing a major pumping station on Tharthar to benefit from the lake’s available reserves and enhance the Euphrates River flow.
Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, emphasized to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, just yesterday, the necessity for Iraq to obtain a fair water share. This sentiment was echoed by Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani, who urged Turkey to increase releases from the Euphrates River.
In recent diplomatic moves, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein conducted bilateral talks with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, last Tuesday. These talks spanned several mutual concerns, with the water crisis effects on Iraq being a focal point.
The agency highlighted that both ministers discussed ways to bolster bilateral ties and touched upon the water file and climate changes. Minister Hussein emphasized that drought threatens Iraq’s agricultural and economic activities, stressing the need for Baghdad to receive a just water share.
In response, Turkey’s Foreign Minister proposed establishing a joint committee between Iraq and Turkey to discuss this crucial matter. Furthermore, other topics, including the Turkish military presence in Iraq, were addressed. Hussein reaffirmed that Baghdad will never permit its territories to be used for executing attacks against another nation.
This past March, Baghdad appealed to Ankara concerning its water quota from both the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Iraq has been grappling with a significant water shortage affecting its agricultural activities. This culminated in the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources’ announcement to halt rice and yellow maize cultivation due to the country’s acute water scarcity.
