
MOWAR: There is a semi-commitment by Turkey to Iraq's water share
The Minister of Water Resources, Aoun Diab, confirmed today, Wednesday, that the percentage of water releases from Turkey and Iran reaches 70 percent, while indicating that there is a quasi-commitment by Turkey to Iraq's water share.
Dhiab said in a dialogue session during the Iraq Energy Conference, attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The culture of the citizen must be changed towards rationalizing water because we are facing a clear challenge," indicating that "the administrations in local governments must focus on the culture of the people and the mechanism for investing water."
He added that "the most important consumer of water is agriculture, and the use of water in agriculture must be changed," noting that "the Prime Minister's directive to use modern irrigation methods is very important."
He stated that "the Ministry of Agriculture has begun using spraying techniques in agriculture and using wells," warning of "the danger of depleting groundwater."
He explained that "the reason for the advance of the salt tongue in the Shatt al-Arab is the lack of resources, as the quantities of water that reach the Shatt al-Arab are small," noting that "the water releases from Turkey and Iran reach 70 percent, and there is a semi-commitment by Turkey to Iraq's water share."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraqi News
6 days ago
- Iraqi News
Iraqi-Turkish agreement to increase trade exchange to $30 billion
Baghdad ( – Iraq and Turkey have agreed to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries to $30 billion. During a meeting held in the Turkish capital, Ankara, the two sides agreed to form an Iraqi-Turkish joint customs committee to develop trade relations and facilitate the movement of goods through border crossings, according to a statement cited by the state-run news agency (INA). To strengthen cooperation between the customs authorities of Iraq and Turkey, officials from both sides discussed strategies to enhance efficiency at border crossings and improve customs collaboration. As part of efforts to increase collaboration between the two countries' customs authorities, officials from both sides reviewed strategies for increasing border crossing efficiency and expanding customs cooperation. The meeting addressed approaches to improve trade flows, expand border crossings capacity, and promote infrastructure projects for bilateral commerce. The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, confirmed in January that the volume of trade exchange between Iraq and Turkey reached $20 billion. In a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Fidan said that Turkey sees its relationship with Iraq as crucial, indicating that Turkey will experience more security and stability the more Iraq does. The Turkish Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat, said in early December that his country seeks to increase trade exchange with Iraq to $30 billion. Bolat added that Turkish companies and investors have completed projects in Iraq worth $35 billion.


Iraqi News
6 days ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq Condemns in the Strongest Terms the Statements of the Zionist Entity Regarding the 'Greater Israel' Vision
Baghdad – INA The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, Thursday, the Republic of Iraq's condemnation, in the strongest terms, of the statements made by the Zionist entity regarding the so-called 'Greater Israel Vision.' In a statement obtained by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Ministry affirmed that 'the Republic of Iraq condemns in the strongest terms the statements issued by the Zionist entity concerning what is referred to as the (Greater Israel Vision), which clearly reveal this entity's expansionist ambitions,' stressing that it 'seeks to destabilize security and stability in the region.' The Ministry added that 'these statements represent a blatant provocation to the sovereignty of states and a flagrant violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, which necessitates a clear and decisive Arab and international stance to confront such policies,' noting that 'these brazen remarks coincide with the continued adoption by the occupation authorities of aggressive policies and the perpetration of crimes against the Palestinian people.' It stressed that 'these practices, coupled with political rhetoric based on expansion and annexation,' require 'effective action to put an end to the occupation's transgressions and to halt the policy of impunity.'


Rudaw Net
11-08-2025
- Rudaw Net
Iraq, Turkey discuss water crisis amid claims of unmet release commitments
Also in Iraq Iraq arrests seven ISIS suspects in separate operations Iraq arrests 23 suspected ISIS members over plot to target Arbaeen pilgrims: Judiciary Chlorine leak sickens hundreds amid Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq Kurdish MP slams Baghdad for hypocrisy toward Erbil A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani on Sunday met with Turkish Ambassador to Baghdad Anil Bora Inan to discuss bilateral relations and a critical water-sharing agreement, as Iraq grapples with its most severe water crisis in decades. A statement from Mashhadani's office said the meeting addressed 'the water dossier and the necessity of continuing to pump Iraq's share of water, in addition to the agreed-upon additional releases.' For his part, the Turkish ambassador reaffirmed his country's commitment to cooperation with Iraq, stating that his country 'is open to Iraq on all political and economic files, and gives its interests priority over others.' He also asserted that the release of water quotas is 'proceeding according to what was agreed upon.' In early July, Turkey agreed to increase water releases into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers by 420 cubic meters per second, following a meeting in Ankara between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Speaker Mashhadani. A statement from the Iraqi parliament at the time quoted Erdogan as 'responding positively' to Iraq's request, saying, 'Turkey shares what God has bestowed upon it with its brothers in Iraq and will not withhold it from them.' Iraq heavily depends on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for its water supply - both of which originate in Turkey. However, major dam projects in Turkey, including the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), have significantly reduced the flow of water into Iraq, contributing to severe drought, desertification, and environmental degradation. Iraq is currently receiving less than 40 percent of its historical water share. Following Erdogan's commitment, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani ordered 'the monitoring of flows, especially those entering northern Iraq across the borders [from Turkey],' the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) then-reported. INA further cited the Iraqi Water Minister Aoun Diab as emphasizing the importance of ensuring 'the extent of the Turkish side's adherence to President Erdogan's directives - especially since they came from the highest level.' The Sunday meeting notably came only days after Thaer al-Jabouri, a member of the Iraqi parliament's agriculture, irrigation, and marshlands committee, described the water situation as 'extremely dangerous,' accusing Ankara of failing to uphold the agreement. Turkey "has not committed to releasing Iraq's water shares,' he told Rudaw, adding that "the increase in water lasted only a few days and then returned to the same previous situation." Similarly, Ahmed Dubardani, a member of the Nineveh Provincial Council's agriculture and water committee last week attributed a dramatic drop in water levels at the Mosul Dam - one of Iraq's largest reservoirs - to both a dry winter and reduced water releases from Turkey. Iraq's water crisis is driven by a combination of factors, including climate change, declining rainfall, poor resource management, and upstream damming by neighboring countries. Compounding the crisis is the lack of a comprehensive water-sharing agreement with Turkey and Iran. As a result, Iraq remains exposed to unilateral upstream decisions that directly impact its water security. The World Resources Institute lists Iraq among the 25 countries facing 'extreme water stress,' meaning it is using more than 80 percent of its available water resources - leaving it highly vulnerable in the event of short-term droughts. Public frustration is also mounting. Southern provinces, especially Basra, have witnessed widespread protests in recent months over acute water shortages and pollution, increasing pressure on officials to secure long-term solutions.