ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday reviewed masterplans for the major Dwin Dam project as well as Dwin Castle’s restoration process.

Located in northern Erbil, the Dwin Dam project was launched last year by the Kurdish premier, has a storage capacity of 100 million cubic meters of water, and is set to cover an area spanning four kilometers with water.

Barzani emphasized the positive impacts the project will have on the environment and combating climate change in the area, as well as its role in storing water for subsequent use in agriculture and tourism, according to a statement released by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Around 15 percent of the project has so far been completed, which, upon completion is set to support agriculture, increase groundwater levels, and boost tourism.

The dam is situated close to Dwin Castle, with renovation efforts underway to restore the ancient site. Both projects are expected to significantly aid the area’s tourism sector and serve as a major historic attraction.

“This is our historical and tourist site, and our people need to know what era the area went through. This is Salahuddin al-Ayyubi's castle, which has been restored in several periods,” the premier said.

Barzani asserted that the restoration efforts are  “part of our programs to prioritize our archaeological sites and tourist areas.”

The castle was home to the renowned historic Kurdish leader Salahuddin al-Ayyubi, the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, who led Muslim fighters against European crusaders in the 12th century, most notably recapturing Jerusalem after 88 years of crusader rule.