Iraqi expert says Turkey uses water against Syria, Iraq
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – An Iraqi water science expert said on Wednesday that Turkey adopted the policy of thirst against Iraq and Syria as it continues to hold the water of the Euphrates River for over three years.
Recently, water levels of Euphrates River in the lakes dropped five meters because Turkey limits the flow of water to not exceed 200 cubic meters per second, contrary to the international agreement, which states to release 500 cubic meters per second for both Syria and Iraq.
Ramadan Hamza, an Iraqi water science expert, said Turkey used the issue of water to implement its political and trade plans by obtaining investments, whether in Iraq or through reconciliation with the “regime” in Syria.
He told North Press that Turkey denies Syria and Iraq water for “pure commercial purposes,” without regard for international laws that regulate the use of shared water resources between parties.
Currently, the lake’s water level has declined to 10.5 billion cubic meters out of 14.5 cubic meters due to its depletion as a result of the lack of water coming from Turkey.
The expert added that Syria and Iraq face major water-related challenges, which in turn affected the agriculture due to lack of water that resulted in salinization of the soil.
He noted other challenges, such as water pollution, soil degradation, desertification, sand storms due to drought, and lack of water sources that feed underground water.
Hamza criticized the international community for not taking action against Turkey’s water policy in Syria and Iraq or finding permanent solutions for both countries.
Starting from February 2020, Turkey has been restricting the amount of water flowing from the Euphrates River into Syria, despite global and regional warnings of a potential health and agricultural crisis.
On July 15, an official in the Dams’ Administration of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) said that they consumed 3.5 billion cubic meters from the strategic reserve of the lake of Euphrates Dam in Tabqa, northern Syria.
The AANES official did not dismiss the possibility of closing down the dams, as the Euphrates lake has reached a level of 298.45 meters, which is close to the dead level of 296 meters at which the dam would cease to operate. The maximum level of the lake is 304 meters.
According to the UN, 54 out of 73 water stations along the western bank of the Euphrates have been greatly affected by the dangerously low water levels. This has affected drinking water in the Syrian governorates of Hasakah, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Aleppo.
The low water level has caused a health crisis and spread of diseases and epidemics in Syria, such as cholera, hepatitis, and typhoid fever. The number of fatalities because of these diseases increased since the river dried up.