Baghdad: Iraq intends to send a negotiating delegation to Turkey next month to discuss the issue of water. According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Iraqi Green Observatory announced in a press release that the delegation will include representatives from relevant ministries such as Water Resources, Agriculture, and Environment, along with academic experts in these fields. The delegation's primary focus will be to address Iraq's share of water resources with Turkish counterparts.

The press release highlighted that Iraq has faced a significant decline in water revenues, with incoming flows reduced by over 40% in the past five years. This reduction has led to the drying up of marshlands, threatening the livelihoods of approximately 5 million citizens who depend on these areas. Moreover, the situation has resulted in soil salinization and the degradation of 50% of agricultural land in southern and central Iraq. The water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, particularly in Baghdad and Basra, have reached critical lows, endangering the supply of drinking water.

The Observatory stressed that the water issue transcends politics, touching on national, environmental, and humanitarian security. It asserted that water is a historical right of Iraqis, supported by international norms and United Nations conventions. The ongoing situation jeopardizes food security, as a significant portion of crops, approximately 70%, relies on irrigation. Furthermore, the crisis exacerbates salinity, disease, and internal displacement from rural areas to urban centers.

The Observatory urged the negotiating delegation to secure a legally binding agreement to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in line with international laws governing transboundary rivers. Additionally, it called for the establishment of a permanent joint technical committee to facilitate data exchange and monitor water quality and flow, along with joint initiatives for water conservation and the adoption of modern irrigation techniques to minimize waste.