Iraq Grapples with Severe Drought, Urges Turkey to Restore Water Share

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraq is facing an escalating drought crisis that has forced many rural residents to migrate to urban areas in search of water and livelihoods. Authorities are calling on Turkey to urgently release Iraq’s full share of water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

An Iraqi citizen told Kurdistan24: "The government must be firm and take this issue to the United Nations to ensure that Turkey acknowledges Iraq’s water rights. The way Turkey deals with Iraq in this matter is not in line with sovereign respect."

Another resident voiced frustration over the prolonged shortages: "We want to know how long this situation will continue. Large parts of Baghdad and its surrounding regions are suffering from severe water scarcity. It is 2025, yet people still depend on wells — and even those are drying up."

Amir Maamouri, a member of Iraq’s parliament, told Kurdistan24: "Iraq’s water share released to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is now less than 190 cubic meters per second, down from the previous 530 to 600 cubic meters. How can we distribute this limited amount among the provinces? The southern and central regions are already suffering, and we fear that some drinking water treatment plants may shut down entirely due to insufficient levels."

Experts say the crisis is compounded by the absence of a comprehensive national water policy. Proposed projects such as constructing a dam in Shatt al-Arab — aimed at restoring water levels and preventing Gulf flooding — remain unrealized.