Iraq's Water Crisis Leads to Controversial Oil-for-Water Deal with Turkey

Iraq faces a severe water crisis, exacerbated by upstream dam constructions and climate change, leading to one of the worst droughts in a century. In response, Iraq has entered a contentious agreement with Turkey to trade oil for water infrastructure improvements, using oil revenues to fund projects aimed at enhancing water efficiency. This deal, formalized in November, aims to provide a sustainable water flow from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, crucial for Iraq's agriculture and economy. However, experts express concern that this agreement could compromise Iraq's sovereignty over its water resources and emphasize the need for a long-term, independent water policy.

Key Details: • Iraq's water supply has decreased significantly due to upstream dams and climate change. • The oil-for-water agreement was formalized in November and involves daily oil sales to fund water projects. • Concerns exist regarding Iraq's long-term control over its water resources due to the dependency on Turkey. • Experts advocate for a sovereign and professional water policy rather than reliance on bilateral agreements.