Latest news with #Al-Hilali
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
100+ lawmakers push for PMF Law vote
Shafaq News – Baghdad More than 100 Iraqi lawmakers have endorsed a request for an extraordinary parliamentary session to vote on the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Authority Law, MP Ibtisam al-Hilali disclosed on Sunday. Al-Hilali, a lawmaker of the Iran-aligned Shiite Coordination Framework, told Shafaq News that the signatures will be submitted to parliament's leadership to set a date, stressing that the legislation is 'essential' and must advance despite external pressures to block it. The proposed law seeks to regulate the PMF, a powerful umbrella of armed groups integrated into Iraq's security apparatus after the 2014 war with ISIS. Supporters argue it secures fighters' rights, while critics caution it could formalize the influence of the groups beyond full state control. Parliament has remained frozen since August 5, when a clash between Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and Deputy Speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi over chairing authority stalled proceedings, leaving major bills — including the PMF Law — in limbo as political blocs shift focus to the November 11 elections. Independent MP Jawad al-Yasari confirmed
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Tigris and Euphrates near collapse as water crisis deepens
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq is facing a worsening water crisis as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers approach critical drought levels, with officials warning of severe consequences for drinking water supplies in Baghdad and other provinces if urgent action is not taken. Ebtisam Al-Hilali, a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Water, told Shafaq News on Tuesday that water inflows from upstream countries — Turkiye, Syria, and Iran — have dropped sharply, compounded by below-average rainfall. 'Water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates have decreased by more than 70% compared to last year, pushing both rivers into the final stages of drought,' she said. Al-Hilali warned that if Iraq fails to reach binding water agreements with upstream states, particularly Turkiye, the capital and multiple provinces may soon face interruptions in municipal water supplies, plunging the country into a full-scale drought emergency. Iraq has long suffered from falling river levels due to upstream dam projects, especially in Turkiye, which controls much of the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates through its GAP mega-dam project. Although Ankara recently increased water releases in partial response to Iraqi demands, officials in Baghdad continue to call for a fair and fixed water-sharing quota to ensure long-term national water security. Southern provinces, including Dhi Qar and Maysan, have been hit hardest. Severe drought has forced the displacement of thousands and led to water shortages in towns and villages.
Shafaq News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq's river flows and dam reserves fall below half
Shafaq News/ Iraq is entering a critical phase of water scarcity as inflows from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers drop below 50% of normal levels and strategic dam reserves plunge to historic lows—raising alarm over the country's ability to meet agricultural, domestic, and environmental demands in the months ahead, the parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Water confirmed. Committee member Ibtisam Al-Hilali told Shafaq News that both rainfall and water releases from neighboring countries have declined sharply, placing enormous pressure on Iraq's already fragile water infrastructure. "The water reserves in our dams, as well as river inflows, have decreased to below 50%," Al-Hilali said. "The situation is especially dire at Dukan Dam, where the current reserve has dropped to just 1.6 billion cubic meters, down from 4 billion in previous years." According to Al-Hilali, the crisis is driven by a combination of environmental and political challenges, which are highlighted by Iraq's stalled efforts to reach binding water-sharing agreements with its upstream neighbors, particularly Turkiye and Iran. "The specter of drought is looming, not only because of climate conditions, but also due to the failure of Iraqi diplomacy to secure long-term solutions." She noted, adding that although Baghdad previously agreed with Ankara on a daily release of 500 cubic meters per second, "Turkiye has not adhered to the agreement." Al-Hilali urged the Iraqi government to adopt a firmer stance, suggesting that Iraq use trade and investment as leverage in future talks. "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani must now consider economic pressure as a tool to push for increased water releases," she said. By the end of May, Iraq's total water storage had reached its lowest level in nearly eight decades. With an extremely weak rainy season, reduced snowmelt, and upstream restrictions, the country's reserves have fallen to just 10 billion cubic meters—far short of the 18 billion it needs to meet summer demands, and significantly below the 20 billion available last year. As a result, authorities have been forced to scale back the area of land allocated for summer crops, further compounding Iraq's food security concerns. A recent Forbes report described Iraq and its neighbors as facing an 'unprecedented drought', warning that the continuation of current trends would have devastating consequences. The region is already among the most water-stressed on Earth, and Iraq's dwindling reserves represent a stark warning of the challenges ahead.
Shafaq News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq on brink of drought: Lawmaker calls for urgent action
Shafaq News/ Iraq is heading into a critical summer drought as water reserves fall and upstream restrictions continue, a member of the Parliamentary Agriculture and Water Committee cautioned on Thursday. Speaking to Shafaq News, MP Ibtisam Al-Hilali disclosed that the country's water storage has dropped from 20 to just 10 billion cubic meters, warning of a 'direct threat' to both water and food security. She attributed the crisis to ongoing upstream cuts by neighboring countries, which have restricted the Tigris and Euphrates flows. Al-Hilali also urged the government to intensify diplomatic outreach through the United Nations and push for economic pressure on Turkiye to secure Iraq's rightful share of cross-border water. Her remarks followed the Fifth International Water Conference in Baghdad, themed 'Water and Technology: A Partnership for Development,' which saw limited regional engagement. At the event, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani introduced a regional initiative to safeguard the Tigris and Euphrates but acknowledged that regional cooperation remains stalled.
Shafaq News
19-03-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq Parliament: Budget tables, PMF law on agenda
Shafaq News/ Iraq's parliament is expected to vote on the federal budget tables in the coming days as soon as they are submitted by the government, an Iraqi lawmaker revealed on Tuesday, ruling out new public sector appointments or wage increases. Ibtisam Al-Hilali, a member of parliament, told Shafaq News Agency that the government is finalizing the budget tables and will submit them imminently. 'Parliament will vote immediately upon receipt to avoid affecting ministries and budget-related matters,' she said, reiterating that Iraq had approved a three-year budget to streamline financial planning. 'However, given the current situation, lawmakers must vote on the tables annually.' Finance Minister Taif Sami has faced pressure over the delay, Al-Hilali noted, adding that the minister confirmed the tables had been sent to the Prime Minister. 'If approval is delayed, government spending will continue at a rate of 1/12 of the previous budget.' Amid concerns that political parties might exploit employment promises ahead of elections, Al-Hilali clarified that 'the budget does not include new appointments, contracts, or wage increases.' She emphasized that 150,000 contract positions for provinces had already been processed and warned against election-related misinformation. As for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Service and Retirement law, the MP said it may be reintroduced to parliament's agenda after being withdrawn last week. 'Lawmakers are expected to discuss it in the next parliamentary session, anticipated next week.' With parliament facing calls for dissolution due to repeated session delays, Al-Hilali dismissed the notion, stating, 'Parliament cannot dissolve itself entirely. The current term will end on January 10, 2026.' Parliamentary sources reported last week that the Shiite Coordination Framework is negotiating amendments to the PMF law, with discussions planned between the framework and PM Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. Additionally, a Coordination Framework source told Shafaq News that Al-Sudani's decision to withdraw the PMF law was aimed at easing political tensions and ensuring that legislative sessions could proceed without obstruction. Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over whether the budget tables have already been forwarded from the Ministry of Finance to the Council of Ministers. Last Sunday, Parliamentary Finance Committee member Hussain Mouanes said there was no official confirmation of the transfer.
