ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s water resources minister said Saturday that understandings had been reached with Turkey and Syria to increase water releases, amid a prolonged water crisis in Iraq caused by reduced water flows from upstream countries.

Iraq has historically struggled with water shortages, with authorities routinely blaming upstream countries for withholding water through dams on the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers.

Ankara has been particularly blamed for the crisis, with around 90 percent of Iraq’s water sources originating from the neighboring country. Earlier this year, the environment ministry called for international pressure on Ankara to increase water flows.

In a statement, Water Resources Minister Muthanna al-Tamimi revealed that his late-July visit to Turkey alongside Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi included discussions on water, highlighting "the Turkish side's willingness to increase water releases, as well as the existence of positive understandings between the two sides in this area."

Iraq and Turkey in 2025 signed an agreement to address Iraq’s worsening water crisis, which had been exacerbated by upstream dams constructed by Ankara along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

The minister added that Baghdad has also reached understandings with the Syrian side regarding water," noting that "work is ongoing to achieve Iraq's interests and preserve its water rights.”

In June, the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Syria on the management of shared water resources, particularly the Euphrates.

The United Nations has ranked Iraq among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, while authorities have warned that water reserves have fallen to dangerous levels, making conservation and careful management essential.

Following his appointment as water resources minister in May, Tamimi stressed that his ministry will develop relations with upstream Turkey and Iran to secure water releases into Iraq.