Iraq seeks additional water allocations from upstream neighbors

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources has requested additional water allocations from upstream countries, ministry spokesperson Khalid Shimal said, noting that the country's dams have the capacity to receive the extra supply. Shimal's remarks were published in the official gazette. Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi spoke by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan the day before the announcement, with both sides emphasizing the need to continue dialogue and coordination on agreements serving mutual interests, according to the ministry. Shimal said the water resources minister is working to strengthen negotiations with the Turkish side and advance water management projects. The ministry is coordinating with the Kurdistan Regional government on efforts to raise water levels in dams and reservoirs, and officials said natural depressions such as Hubbaniyah and Sarsar could be used to balance water levels and absorb flood surges. The spokesperson said the construction of large dams in Turkey and Syria has reshaped regional water management and left Iraq more dependent on allocations from outside its borders. The ministry is running projects to promote more efficient water use in response to climate change and declining allocations, and said technical partnerships with Turkey aimed at strengthening water management will continue.