Iraqi minister says agriculture under threat since Turkey does not release water

The Iraqi Minister of Water Resources said that Iraq's water reserve decreased by 7 billion cubic meters compared to last year, warning that this situation would negatively affect Iraqi agriculture.

In a statement on Monday, the Iraqi Minister of Water Resources, Aoun Diab Abdullah, highlighted the negative effects of water scarcity on Iraqi agriculture.

Abdullah stated that: “Turkey has limited the flow of the Euphrates River, which runs into Iraqi territory through the Syrian border. Less than half of the agreed amount is allowed to flow. The lack of water is posing a serious threat to agriculture. Rice planting in particular is facing a major danger. Previously, 300 thousand acres of land were used to produce rice, but now only 3,000 acres of land are available.”