Iraq Secures Water Rights with Türkiye Under New Framework Agreement

Iraq 04:04 PM - 2025-04-03

Iraq and Türkiye’s flags.

The Ministry of Water Resources has confirmed that the framework agreement between Iraq and Türkiye secures Iraq’s water rights for a decade, while also highlighting that efforts to remove unauthorised encroachments have preserved 80 cubic metres of water per second.

Ministry Spokesperson Khalid Shamal told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “Iraq’s water situation remains stable due to measures implemented by the ministry, which have strengthened water management capabilities.” He noted that “the nationwide campaign to eliminate encroachments, carried out in collaboration with the Supreme Judicial Council and security forces, has resulted in saving approximately 80 cubic metres of water per second.”

He added that the campaign targets unauthorised structures along riverbanks and beaches, as well as illegal fish farms. He further explained that the ministry has undertaken several initiatives to improve water flow in the Euphrates River, including diverting water directly from the Tigris via the Samarra Dam and pumping water from Lake Tharthar using specialised equipment. Shamal also stressed that the ministry’s strict implementation of water rationing measures has improved irrigation operations, maximised the use of rainfall, and optimised the management of existing water projects.

Regarding external cooperation, Shamal highlighted that water negotiations have undergone a significant shift, with the matter now classified as a sovereign issue under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister. A dedicated committee, comprising representatives from various ministries and relevant institutions, oversees these discussions. He noted that the framework agreement signed with Türkiye guarantees Iraq’s water rights for the next ten years.

He further emphasised that the agreement is based on three key principles: joint management of the Tigris-Euphrates basin, the exchange of data to support irrigation projects, and investment opportunities for Turkish companies in coordination with Iraqi authorities. He also confirmed that negotiations with Türkiye are ongoing under the terms of this framework agreement.

Additionally, he pointed out that the government has launched a series of investment projects in the water resources sector, including three land reclamation initiatives and three water harvesting dams in Nineveh, Muthanna, and the region between Karbala and Anbar governorates.



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