Iraq should rehabilitate dams to strengthen water security, Cuburi says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Former lawmaker and Agriculture and Water Committee member Thair al-Cuburi said on Monday, June 1, 2026, that rehabilitating Iraq’s dams is important for strengthening water security. He said the work should be carried out alongside rainwater and floodwater collection projects and the wider use of modern irrigation methods. Al-Cuburi said Mosul, Haditha and Hemrin dams, along with other dams in different parts of the country, need regular maintenance and sediment removal. He also said the Tharthar Depression and Lake Habbaniyah in western Iraq can store large amounts of water and could help increase the country’s reserves if used properly. He said modern irrigation techniques could cut water consumption by 60% to 70%, adding that broader adoption of those methods would support the agricultural sector. The remarks come as Iraq continues to face pressure on its water resources.