Iraq allocates 5 billion dinars to clear water hyacinth from Tigris and Euphrates

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Water Resources Minister Aoun Dhiab al-Musawi's office said the government has allocated 5 billion Iraqi dinars to remove water hyacinth from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, following a directive from the Prime Minister. The funds have been transferred to the Iraqi Company, and cleaning operations have begun at designated locations, with the project expected to be completed within two months. The minister said teams from the Ministry of Water Resources are working alongside the Iraqi Company to clear the invasive plant from the rivers. He added that he reviewed the removal operations at the Samarra Barrage during a field visit to monitor progress on the ground. According to the ministry, the decision was taken to preserve the ecological balance of the country's waterways and to regulate water flow. Officials said work is being accelerated to ensure the project is finished on schedule. No further details on the scope of the operation or additional funding were immediately available.