clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Iraq urges Iran to respect its water rights

July 11, 2021 at 2:55 pm

NASIRIYAH, IRAK – DECEMBER 24: A fishing boat gliding through the yellowish reeds in the Mesopotamian Marshes, also known as the Iraqi Marshes, which is a wetland area located in Southern Iraq and Southwestern Iran, in Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 24, 2020 [Murtadha Al-Sudani / Anadolu Agency]

Iraq has called on Iran to respect its rights amid a water dispute between the two neighbours, reported Anadolu Agency.

Baghdad blames Tehran for changing the course of rivers that flow into the Tigris and Euphrates, as well as building dams in contravention to international law.

“The Iranians have not shown any [positive] response and still cut off water from the Sirwan, Karun, Karkheh and Alwand rivers and streams, causing severe damage to the residents of Diyala [province in eastern Iraq] who rely on water coming from Iran,” Water Resources Minister Mahdi Rashid al-Hamdani said.

Read: Iraqis protest over power, water cuts amid heat wave

Al-Hamdani threatened that Iraq will file a complaint with UN agencies over Iran’s failure to cooperate with Baghdad regarding its water rights

Last month, Iraq said Turkey had released more water into Tigris and Euphrates rivers to help Iraq overcome its water crisis.

Iraq totally depends on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which account for more than 90% of the country’s freshwater.

In summer, upstream dams in Iran shrink the Tigris tributaries, cutting off the flow at the Diyala River causing a major water crisis in Diyala province.

Read: ‘Cyberattack’ hits Iran transport ministry and railway