Iraq to pursue talks with neighbors on water resources: ministry

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraq will pursue talks with neighboring countries over matters involving the borders and water resources, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry confirmed on Saturday.

“Dialogue is continuing with some neighboring countries that Iraq is linked with through common interest, including those related to border and water-resource issues,” ministry spokesperson Ahmed al-Sahaf told Iraqi state media on Saturday. 

He added with dialogue it would be possible to reach results that would preserve Iraq’s share of water, on the one hand, and still maintain common interest with Turkey.

The Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources on Wednesday said the country has enough water to last the summer and winter seasons.  

“The water storage of dams and reservoirs is sufficient for the next summer season, for drinking water, marshes and all health and industrial uses, in addition to securing the next winter season,” ministry spokesperson Ali Radhi told Iraqi state media.

While Iraq has maintained a better plan when it comes to water, the Kurdistan Region is suffering from water scarcity.

Earlier this month, Sulaimani officials warned the public of low water supplies, asking them to limit use of water. 

This past winter and spring saw much less snow and rainfall than average and neighboring countries have built many dams in recent years, holding onto the water in shared rivers.

Abdulmutalib Raafat Sarhat, a civil and environmental engineer specializing in water management at the University of Garmian, warned of a major water crisis last week. 

Spring is usually the season when the Kurdistan Region saves water, storing it in dams and reservoirs, Sarhat told Rudaw English.

“And already we are struggling. It is going to be much worse when we step into July," he stated.

He called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to start building dams in order to save rainwater and take steps to preserve groundwater resources, which are also dropping.

Iraq is the world's fifth-most vulnerable nation to the effects of climate change, including water and food insecurity, according to the UN, yet it is lagging behind its neighbors when it comes to a plan to protect its water resources.  

Tehran is building a network of dams and canals and Ankara has constructed a mega-dam on the Tigris River at the cost of the ancient city of Hasankeyf that is now under water. 

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. 

Turkey and Iran in March said they would cooperate with Iraq on water issues. 

Kurdish farmers have warned of a “catastrophe” as Iran blocks the water supply into the Region. Farmers are already affected by water shortages. Shepherds in Garmian have abandoned  their traditional farming areas to seek greener pastures elsewhere. Directors of the Duhok and Dukan dams have both previously raised concerns about low water levels.