Iraq warns of water scarcity as reserves drop to under 6%

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq is receiving less than one-third of its water entitlements from neighboring countries, while national water storage levels have dropped below six percent, the water ministry warned on Sunday, as Baghdad continues to press Turkey for increased river releases. The Turkish foreign minister has arrived in the Iraqi capital to sign a water agreement.

“Currently Iraq receives less than 30 percent of its water needs,” ministry spokesperson Khaled Shamal told Rudaw.

More than 70 percent of Iraq’s water originates from outside the country - 50 percent from Turkey, 15 percent from Iran, and five percent from Syria, Shamal said, adding that water negotiations with all three countries have been elevated to a matter of “sovereign” national interest.

He added that Iraq needs a minimum of 500 cubic meters per second from the Tigris River and 300 cubic meters from the Euphrates to support agriculture, drinking water, and environmental needs, including the southern marshes and Shatt al-Arab.

Turkey agreement, but no increase seen

In early July, Turkey pledged to increase water releases into the Tigris and Euphrates by 420 cubic meters per second following a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.

Shamal said water security remains a priority for Baghdad and will be central to any future agreement with Ankara. However, he noted, “so far no increase has been recorded on the ground.”

Iraqi officials have repeatedly complained in recent months that Turkey has not honored agreed-upon releases.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Baghdad on Sunday. He and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein are expected to sign an agreement which includes the release of more water into Turkey, according to Hussein.

Water storage at critical levels

Shamal warned that Iraq’s current water storage “does not exceed six percent,” blaming four consecutive years of low rainfall and declining river flows. He said the government has imposed rationing and rotation systems on river usage and launched a nationwide effort to curb illegal water consumption.

Reduced river flows have intensified pollution in southern provinces, including Basra, Maysan, Samawa, and Dhi Qar, Shamal said, adding that “the scarcity of [water] releases has led to increased concentration of pollutants.”

Low water levels have also made it difficult to prevent saltwater intrusion into the Shatt al-Arab basin in Basra, he said, despite continued pumping efforts.

The spokesperson said Iraq has achieved wheat self-sufficiency but warned that ongoing water crises threaten agricultural areas, particularly in the south. He cited decades of conflict and sanctions that damaged infrastructure and said the ministry is pursuing “water sustainability, infrastructure renewal, and implementation of strategic projects.”

Iraq relies heavily on the Tigris and Euphrates, both originating in Turkey. Large upstream dam projects, including the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), have sharply reduced Iraq's water flow, worsening drought, desertification, and environmental degradation.

The World Resources Institute ranks Iraq among the world's most water-stressed countries. The UN lists Iraq among the five nations most vulnerable to climate change and desertification, with summertime temperatures frequently exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.

Farmers protest in five provinces

Meanwhile, hundreds of farmers rallied Saturday in Muthanna, Najaf, Karbala, Diwaniyah, and Wasit provinces, demanding overdue compensation for crop losses caused by drought and water shortages. Protesters warned they may boycott parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11 if the government does not respond.

“There should be no elections if there are no compensations,” one protester said in a widely circulated video. “Just as they deprived you of farming, deprive them of seats.”

He accused the government of “false promises” over the past ten months and neglecting farmers’ rights, saying authorities could not claim strength while ignoring the agricultural sector.