In High-Level Parliamentary Talks, Iraq Urges Turkey to Secure Its Water Rights
Dr. Shakhawan Abdullah raised the issue directly with his Turkish counterpart, Melvut Cavusoglu, urging Ankara to ensure Baghdad receives its rightful water quota.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iraq has officially requested Turkey to guarantee its fair share of water, highlighting mounting concerns over dwindling resources and intensifying drought across the country.
The appeal came during a diplomatic meeting held Thursday between a Turkish parliamentary delegation and Dr. Shakhawan Abdullah, the Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, who led Iraq’s parliamentary delegation at a NATO Parliamentary Assembly session in Turkey.
According to a statement released by the Deputy Speaker’s media office, Dr. Abdullah raised the issue directly with his Turkish counterpart, Melvut Cavusoglu, urging Ankara to ensure Baghdad receives its rightful water quota. The talks also covered ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic development and defense coordination.
The Iraqi official emphasized the urgency of the situation, especially as Iraq faces another scorching summer and worsening water scarcity. “Guaranteeing Iraq’s water share is essential to reducing the impact of drought and securing water needs during this year’s dry season,” Abdullah was quoted as saying.
Water disputes between Iraq and Turkey have long been a source of tension. Iraq relies heavily on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, both of which originate in Turkey. Over the years, large dam projects such as Turkey’s Ilisu Dam have dramatically reduced the flow of water into Iraq, affecting agriculture, drinking water supply, and electricity production.
This latest push by Iraq comes amid broader regional concerns over climate change and transboundary water rights. Despite several rounds of talks in the past, progress has remained limited, often overshadowed by political disagreements and competing development interests.
The Iraqi delegation, which also included members of the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defense, met with their Turkish counterparts on the sidelines of the NATO parliamentary meetings. The visit was part of broader efforts to expand cooperation between Baghdad and Ankara beyond security, with economic partnership and environmental management topping the agenda.
As water levels in Iraq’s key reservoirs continue to drop, the pressure is mounting on the government to secure long-term solutions. Iraq’s appeal to Turkey this week signals a renewed effort to place water security at the heart of its regional diplomacy.
