Iraq’s water crisis continues to worsen amid drastically reduced flows from Turkiye. Iraq’s water crisis is now a critical concern for the government and citizens alike. A parliamentary committee recently confirmed that only building new dams can secure the country’s long-term water needs. Without urgent action, Iraq faces a growing water emergency.
MP Thaer Mukhayef spoke to Shafaq News about Ankara’s stance. He revealed that Turkey links any increase in water releases to Iraq awarding dam contracts to Turkish companies. Mukhayef warned that if Iraq fails to honor the bilateral water agreement, protests could erupt across drought-affected regions. This would add to the already severe hardships.
Additionally, He urged Iraqi authorities to step up efforts to ease water shortages in the southern and central provinces. “The situation in the southern provinces and the Euphrates basin is dire,” Mukhayef stated clearly. Water scarcity is now hitting the most vulnerable parts of the country hardest.
A source at Mosul Dam confirmed to Shafaq News that water releases into the Tigris River currently stand at 350 cubic meters per second. Although inflows from Turkiye have slightly increased, they remain far below the agreed levels. This gap puts more pressure on Iraq’s water reserves and infrastructure.
Iraq faces multiple challenges worsening the water crisis. Extreme heat, low rainfall, and shrinking water reserves create a perfect storm of water insecurity. Experts warn that this crisis will trigger serious social consequences. The southern marshlands are especially vulnerable, facing rising poverty and reverse migration. Furthermore, tensions over access to water may increase, threatening stability.
In conclusion, Iraq’s water crisis demands immediate attention. New dam construction appears to be the only sustainable solution. Meanwhile, Iraq must negotiate firmly with Turkiye to uphold water-sharing agreements. Without cooperation and infrastructure investment, the country’s water challenges will continue to grow. The coming months will be critical for Iraq’s efforts to secure its water future. Public awareness and government action must go hand in hand to prevent further deterioration.
