Ismael Mahmood – Activists
Water is the essence of life and holds critical importance for every nation and people. It is regarded not only as a basic human necessity but also as a vital national resource. Differences in geography and access to water sources have long influenced the strategic significance of regions, often playing a decisive role in conflicts and political affairs. Water has been used as a weapon — through threats, blockades, or withholding — to exert pressure on vulnerable areas.
Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are no exception to these threats. Of particular concern are the actions of Turkey, which lies upstream of Iraq and controls the headwaters of both the Tigris and Euphrates rivers — the lifelines of Mesopotamia. These two rivers originate in present-day Turkey and flow into Iraqi territory. As a result, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are highly dependent on water flows from across the border, leaving them vulnerable to foreign policies and water management decisions made outside their control.
Numerous times, Iraq has faced water shortages, prompting widespread concern among citizens and experts alike. In late summer 2018, a delegation of Iraqi specialists gathered in Istanbul to raise their alarm with Turkish officials, fearing a repeat of the Syrian experience.
The completion of Turkey’s massive Atatürk Dam on the Euphrates, a central element of the GAP (Southeastern Anatolia Project), caused a severe water crisis in Syria. The reduced river flow led to the desiccation of large agricultural areas near the Euphrates, forcing over 800,000 rural residents to migrate to urban centers. Most of these displaced individuals were impoverished and found limited support from the Syrian government, which lacked the capacity to provide jobs or adequate living conditions.
The policy response from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to similar threats has, unfortunately, been minimal and reactive. Despite the clear risks, little has been done to prepare for or mitigate the impacts of water scarcity. Today, the absence of effective mechanisms or responsible institutions in Kurdistan and Iraq is evident. The consequences are not only visible in agriculture — with diminished farmland and failed irrigation — but also in electricity production and even in access to clean drinking water, giving rise to serious public health concerns.
Regrettably, internal political instability, systemic corruption, and the mismanagement of resources in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq have compounded the crisis. The suppression of dissent, lack of freedom, and disregard for Kurdish national questions only deepen the tragedy. These failures will have lasting consequences for future generations.
The Tigris River
The Tigris River originates in the highlands of southeastern Turkey — specifically within what is known as Greater Kurdistan. It stretches 1,718 km in length. Its primary source is the spring known as “Suwe,” emerging near Lake Küçük at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. From there, it flows southeast through the city of Diyarbakır. Several tributaries feed into it, including the Batman Su and Karzan Su, which originate from the Hakkari Mountains and areas near Lake Van.
The Euphrates River
The Euphrates is one of Iraq’s two major rivers, with a total length of 2,800 km. It begins in the mountains of northern Kurdistan (in Turkey) from two main tributaries: the Karasu and Murat rivers. These two merge and form the Euphrates, which then flows through Syria — where it’s joined by another branch called the Balikh River near the city of Jarabulus — and enters Iraqi territory near the town of Al-Bukamal.
In Iraq, the Euphrates is used for irrigation, drinking water, and electricity production. It flows through the western part of the country and ultimately joins the Tigris near southern Iraq to form the Shatt al-Arab river, which empties into the Persian Gulf. Both rivers — the Euphrates and the Tigris — are vital to Iraq’s agriculture, ecology, and overall survival.
