Iraq's Water Crisis: Escalating Drought and Warnings of Severe Future Repercussions

Iraq is facing a severe water crisis that poses a growing threat to its future and stability, driven by a sharp decline in water resources due to climate change and complex regional water policies. Recent estimates indicate a drop in water reserves from 18 billion cubic meters last year to approximately 10 billion cubic meters currently, severely impacting the agricultural sector and the livelihoods of thousands of families. Specialized parliamentary committees confirmed that Iraq has effectively entered a prolonged drought phase, noting that dam-building policies in neighboring countries, which ignore fair water quotas, have made Iraq the most affected party. Relevant authorities warned that the repercussions will be even more severe in the coming years unless a comprehensive national strategy is adopted, focusing on reducing waste, utilizing modern technologies, and recycling water, emphasizing that the current year is one of the driest in decades.