Iraqi Minister of Water Resources Aoun Diab speaks during a televised interview from Baghdad
Iraq Secures Turkish Promise to Boost Water Flow Ahead of Scorching Summer
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Minister of Water Resources Aoun Diab said Turkey has pledged to increase water releases to Iraq during the upcoming summer months, following the visit of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to Ankara.
A large portion of Iraq’s water supply originates in Turkey, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers begin before flowing into Iraq. These rivers are critical for Iraq’s drinking water, agriculture, and electricity generation, making coordination with Turkey essential for managing seasonal shortages and long-term water security.
“It was a very important visit, and the water issue was a major topic,” Diab said in an interview with state-run Al-Iraqiya. “The prime minister emphasized in several meetings that water is a vital and essential matter for Iraq, especially during dry seasons.” Diab added that Turkish officials showed an understanding of Iraq’s needs and responded positively. “We tried to deliver clear and precise messages to the Turkish side about the importance of fair and equitable water releases to Iraq, particularly during the summer,” he said. “There is an urgent need to meet drinking, human, and agricultural water demands.”
Iraq is considered the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to climate change impacts, according to the United Nations. Rising temperatures, severe droughts, and reduced rainfall have intensified water scarcity, harmed agriculture, and accelerated desertification, putting pressure on communities and infrastructure across the country.
Diab noted that during his meeting with Turkey’s agriculture and water minister, and with President Erdogan’s water envoy, former minister Veysel Eroğlu, there was serious consensus on the issue. “They expressed understanding and promised improvement,” he said. “We hope these promises are fulfilled, especially with forecasts pointing to high summer temperatures and a pressing need for water.”
Regarding Iran, Diab said communication remains indirect but ongoing, particularly over the Karun River, which affects salinity levels in the Shatt al-Arab waterway. “We have received messages about the importance of reasonable flows from the Karun to reduce salinity,” he said. “Conditions on other tributaries, such as the Sirwan River feeding the Darbandikhan Dam [in Sulayamniyah governorate] and those supplying Hamrin Dam [in Diyala Governorate], are currently stable. We haven’t observed drastic changes in these areas.”
Diab said Iraq no longer needs large dams on the Tigris and Euphrates due to sufficient existing storage capacity, and the country is instead focusing on small-scale water harvesting dams, particularly in desert areas. “These are vital for supporting local communities and recharging groundwater,” he said. In the north, some dams are also planned for electricity generation and drinking water supply. He confirmed coordination with the Kurdistan Region on these projects. “There are existing studies and preparations for some dams that have been ready for execution for years.”
Iraq operates a network of major dams across the country, including Mosul, Haditha, Darbandikhan, and Hamrin, which are used for water storage, irrigation, flood control, and electricity generation. While these dams provide essential infrastructure, many have faced challenges due to reduced inflows from upstream countries, aging systems, and climate-related stress.
