Kurdistan could see displacement, conflict over water: Waterkeeper

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Region is facing a crisis because of water shortages that could lead to displacement and conflict, a water expert said on Saturday. 

"One of the biggest challenges we're facing is the Sirwan River, on which several dams are being built… Iran controls over 70 percent of the water,” said Nabil Musa, a member of the international Waterkeepers Alliance.

The Sirwan River has its source in Iran. It crosses the border into the Kurdistan Region near Halabja and feeds Darbandikhan Lake before passing through the Garmiyan region and joining the Tigris River.

Kurdish farmers have warned of a “catastrophe” as Iran blocks the water supply. The Garmiyan region is facing desertification and its shepherds have abandoned their traditional farming areas to seek greener pastures elsewhere. 

Musa called for the government to take action to help the Garmiyan region. "If we don't help Garmiyan, another Anfal will occur,” he said, referring the Baathist-era genocidal campaign against Kurds. 

Musa’s Waterkeepers are organizing events to raise awareness about the water crisis. A workshop for environmental activists in Sulaimani is happening this weekend and he plans campaigns in Garmiyan, Shahrizur, Erbil, and Halabja.

The United Nations’ Watercourses Convention of 1997 governs trans-boundary water resources, however only a few dozen states are party to the convention, under which nations are obligated to respect and equitably share their neighbors’ water resources. Syria and Iraq have signed. Turkey and Iran have not.

If the government does not take action “against Iran for its breaking of international laws, there will be a civil war, displacement, and the culture of cultivation will soon go extinct,” said Musa.

Iraq’s water ministry is holding talks about sharing resources with Iran and Turkey. Ankara and Tehran in March said they would cooperate with Iraq on water issues.

The water crisis is also putting fish populations at risk. 

“We’ve been collecting data about water and the water crisis for ten years. Over the past few years, mass fish deaths occurred in September, but this year, they are occurring now,” said Musa.

The agriculture ministry expects that millions of fish will die this year because of low water levels and pollution.