Turkish water projects and their impact on Iraqi - Turkish relations

Abstract

The water crisis in the Tigris and Euphrates is typical of the water crisis in the Middle East at the end of the 20th century. Turkey as a state of origin has a distinct and strategic geography and has full control over the two rivers in the face of my country. Syria and Iraq, The Tigris and Euphrates are considered international rivers according to the provisions of international law, as their basin passes through the territories of different countries. And the fact that these countries are trying to extend its sovereignty over water, it is this situation brings together analysts that the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are characteristic of international rivers that may be causing future wars because of poor distribution of water. This theme has been of great importance in the various meetings and meetings held between the three countries in recent decades. As Turkey refused to implement the agreements on international rivers, the water issue has shifted from a cause of joint cooperation to a disputed issue. Turkish projects consume about 26 billion of the total water resources of the Euphrates River. Accordingly, the water resource is reduced by 25% of the current resource rate reaching Iraq from the Euphrates. As for the Ailso dam, which is considered the most dangerous to Iraq being the closest to the Iraqi border, which will work on another meter cubic meter of water that feeds the Tigris River from Turkish territory. Therefore, the shortage of water and drought of the Iraqi rivers because of water cuts by Turkey and Iran, which will increase the lack of water in Iraq, especially in terms of agriculture, as Iraq will be the largest market and the largest for both Turkey and Iran will increase the import of food and agricultural, More than 70% of its needs are fruits and vegetables.