Turkey approves increased water flow to aid Iraq amid growing crisis

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey has agreed to increase the release of water into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers by 420 cubic meters per second daily, starting Wednesday, in response to Iraq’s worsening water crisis, the Iraqi parliament announced.

The agreement follows a meeting in Ankara on Tuesday between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.

According to an official statement from the Iraqi legislature, the Turkish president approved Mashhadani's “request to release 420 cubic meters of water per second daily, starting from tomorrow, Wednesday."

Mashhadani had “requested that [Iraq’s] water issue receive the Turkish leadership's attention” to ensure water access for all Iraqi citizens, “especially in regions suffering from drought and scarcity in southern Iraq.”

The statement cited Erdogan as “responding positively,” stating, “Turkey shares what God has bestowed upon it with its brothers in Iraq and will not withhold it from them.”

Iraq relies heavily on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for its water supply, both of which originate in Turkey. However, extensive dam projects in Turkey, including the Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP), have drastically reduced water flow downstream into Iraq.

This reduced supply has led to extreme drought and desertification. Reports show Iraq now receives less than 40 percent of its historical water share, putting immense pressure on agriculture, daily use, and environmental sustainability.

Iraq and Turkey are also engaged in agreements and negotiations regarding water sharing.

In April 2024, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and the Turkish President, Erdogan, signed a multi-billion-dollar strategic agreement in Baghdad to manage shared water resources. The 10-year pact included joint river management projects and opened the door for increased Turkish investment under Iraqi coordination.

Despite this milestone agreement, Iraq continues to face a severe water crisis.

In late May, Iraq’s water reserves dropped to their lowest levels in 80 years, according to Khaled Shamal, spokesperson for the Iraqi water resources ministry. “At the start of the summer season, we should have at least 18 billion cubic meters of water. Today, we only have about 10 billion,” he warned in an interview with Rudaw, noting that agricultural plans have been drastically cut.

Given the ongoing crisis, Iraqi politicians have consistently called for a binding, comprehensive international agreement with Turkey to secure Iraq’s fair share of water and ensure long-term sustainability.

Public pressure is also growing. Southern provinces like Basra have seen widespread protests in recent weeks over severe water shortages and pollution.

Beyond the water issue, the Iraqi Parliament Speaker, Mashhadani, emphasized Iraq’s current security and stability as an opportunity for deepened economic ties. He encouraged “reputable Turkish companies" to invest in strategic projects, including the ambitious Development Road Project, which he said will have "a profound impact on the region's economic and political stability."

The Development Road Project - also known as the Dry Canal - is a $17 billion transit project that will link the Persian Gulf to Europe through Iraq’s Grand Faw Port, continuing to the Turkish border at Faysh Khabur southwest of the Kurdistan Region. The project aims to enhance Iraq’s geopolitical position, boost the economy, and create thousands of jobs.

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