Syria, Iraq detail technical terms of water cooperation accord signed last week

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's Energy Ministry has published the technical details of a memorandum signed with Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources one week ago, outlining cooperation on the management of transboundary water resources. Ministry official Obada al-Mubayyed said the deal aims to strengthen joint management, ensure regular sharing of hydraulic data and reactivate a tripartite technical committee linking Syria, Iraq and Turkey. The memorandum provides for continuous exchange of hydraulic and operational data on the Euphrates River, particularly during periods of water scarcity and sudden water releases, according to the ministry. Data will be shared through monitoring stations at Jarablus, Albu Kamal and Al-Hasakah, enabling rapid response during droughts and floods. The agreement also covers the resumption of training programs in observation, dam operation and early warning systems. The two sides agreed to incorporate Turkey, as the upstream country, into the process and to protect both countries' water rights within the framework of international law, the ministry said.