Water Resources Minister: We will soon meet with Turkish side to talk about water releases to Iraq

INA-  Baghdad


The Minister of Water Resources, Awn Thiab , announced today, Sunday, an upcoming meeting with the Turkish side to discuss the water releases towards Iraq, while confirming that measures are being taken to stop the waste in the Najaf Al-Ashraf sea.

Thiab said, during a joint press conference with the Minister of Agriculture and the Governor of Najaf, attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “A joint press conference was held to discuss the agricultural plan for the next season, in addition to ways to revitalize Hor Ibn Najm.”

He explained that “the country is facing a major challenge represented by the shortage of water resources, which calls for fair water management,” pointing out “the importance of coordination with the local government and the Ministry of Agriculture to achieve this goal.”

The minister added that “the ministry is seeking to achieve justice in the distribution of water, relying on satellite images, in light of the lack of recorded rainfall,” revealing “an upcoming meeting with a Turkish delegation to discuss the issue of water releases, in light of the challenges posed by the lack of resources and the high demand for water.”

“The current priority is to ensure the provision of water for the future, by distributing the pressure between the countries concerned,” he said.

He pointed out that “the agricultural areas that were approved came in accordance with the policy of equitable distribution of water in all agricultural areas,” noting that “the ministry, through satellite images, is able to determine the areas that are cultivated with seasonal crops.”


“Prime Minister Mohammed Shi'a Al-Sudani continues to support the agricultural sector by promoting the optimal use of water resources, despite the challenges facing the country, such as the lack of surface water resources and population inflation,” he said.

As for the Ibn Najm Marsh, the minister stated that “securing water in it has contributed to achieving positive results, based on the recommendations of the Italian consultant and expert on the area,” noting that “the ministry is working to diversify fish and animal wealth, with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of the marsh and maintaining the water level at a stable level.”

Regarding the marshes in southern Iraq, the minister noted that “the past years witnessed a wave of population migration from these areas, but with the return of water, families have settled again in the marshes.”