Iraq demands water shares from Turkey and Iran
ERBIL, KRI, IRAQ, (North Press) – On Tuesday, Iraqi Minister of Water Resources Aoun Diab emphasized that the program of the new government focuses on “serious demand” of Iraq’s water shares from source countries “Iran and Turkey”.
In a statement, Diab said he seeks to find solutions to many water-related issues, indicating that the government program has discussed internal and external water-related issues.
The Iraqi Minister called on neighboring countries to allow flowing of Iraq’s water share that has been undergoing drought and water rarity over the past three years.
“We are in dire need of an increase in water share coming from Turkey that did not share the same damage in water in the way we find it suitable,” according to the minister.
Prior to his newly assumed post three weeks ago, Diab was a consultant in the ministry. At the time he emphasized, in an exclusive interview with North Press, that Syria and Iraq should unify positions towards Turkey since the questions is relevant to “life.”
He warned of the continuation of the prolonged environmental catastrophe.
Diab said the province of Diyala is the “most affected” by water cut from the Iran.
Syria and Iraq are burdened with water rarity amid two-year drought that eventually reduces the water levels of both Tigris and Euphrates coming from Turkey. This has affected agriculture, animal and hygiene arenas in both countries.
Although the Euphrates and Tigris are cross-border international rivers, Turkish projects have led to nearly 80% reduction in Iraq’s share of the rivers and 50% in Syria’s share.