Kirkuk provincial council warns of water shortage driving village exodus

KIRKUK, Iraq — The Kirkuk Provincial Council's Services Committee said drinking water has run out in villages of the Rashad subdistrict in the southwestern part of the province, warning that residents could be forced to leave if the crisis is not resolved. Committee head Ahmed Fatih Mustafa said basic services have deteriorated sharply and that the shortage is worsening as temperatures rise into the summer months. The committee said it has sent official letters to the Kirkuk directorates of water and electricity to press for action. Mustafa warned that several areas now face the prospect of collective displacement, noting that the provincial council is tracking the issue with the relevant agencies and working toward a lasting solution. The official called on executive bodies to intervene urgently to prevent the crisis from expanding during the summer. No further details on response plans or timelines were immediately available.