Iraq’s prime minister on June 5 told a news conference that he is surprised by Turkey’s decision to start holding back water behind its Ilisu dam earlier than pledged.
Haider al-Abadi added that the move was perhaps made by the Turkish government in order to win votes in the upcoming June 24 elections.
Iraq is battling a water crisis. Thus it is anxious over Turkey’s decision to start filling the dam basin.
“The Turkish prime minister promised me they would start filling the dam at the end of June, not the start, so I was surprised to see they started,” Abadi said. “I am aware they have the elections… perhaps they need to get the support of farmers,” he added.
Reuters quoted a spokesman for Turkey’s Ministry of Forest and Water Management as saying the Turks were “partially” filling the dam’s basin.
The Ilisu dam project is devoted to hydroelectric power production, flood control and water storage.
Around 70% of Iraq’s water resources flow from neighbouring countries, especially in the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, which both flow through Turkey.
Abadi added that the government has plans to secure water for farmers, especially for Iraq’s vital wheat crop. The amount of land reserved for other crops that consume a lot of water might be cut back.
Related Articles
Turkey’s Şahinler invests $100mn in Egypt’s garments and tourism sectors
Turkish group Şahinler Holding is expanding its operations in Egypt with new investments exceeding $100mn across the ready-made garments and tourism sectors, Al Sharq Business reported on August 27, ... more
Turkish government plans special "People's Aisle" sections in markets for cheaper products
A new government-backed initiative called “Cumhur Reyonu” (“People’s Aisle”) will be rolled out across Turkey’s major supermarket chains, which collectively operate over 55,000 branches ... more
One killed and 16 buildings brought down as 6.1-magnitude quake hits northwestern Turkey
One person was killed and 16 buildings collapsed on the evening of Sunday August 10 when a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Turkey's Balikesir province in Marmara region, Interior ... more
Most Read
-
Kyrgyzstan abandons attempt to rescue Russian climber trapped on icy summit of country’s highest mountain
6 days ago
-
BERTRAND: China after Communism, preparing for a post-CCP China
1 month ago
-
BERTRAND: China now accounts for 64% of world’s renewable energy output
4 months ago
-
UKRAINE REMONT: The battle to build: signs of recovery in Ukraine's construction industry
4 months ago