By Abdullahi Lukman
Turkey and Iraq have reached a tentative agreement on managing shared water resources from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced, with a formal “framework” deal expected to be signed soon in Iraq.
The agreement comes as both countries face worsening drought and growing concerns over dwindling river flows.
Iraq has long criticized Turkey for dam projects that reduce its water supply, since the rivers originate in Turkey.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the shared nature of the water and expressed commitment to joint rehabilitation efforts.
“This water shortage will continue to be a problem not only today but also for years to come,” Fidan said, underscoring the need for cooperation.
The announcement coincides with warming relations between the neighbors after years of tension over Turkish military operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Iraq—a group Turkey designates as terrorist.
Recently, Turkey lifted a flight ban on Sulaymaniyah International Airport in Iraq’s Kurdish region, which had been imposed in 2023 due to PKK-related security concerns.
This move follows Iraq’s resumption last month of oil exports from the Kurdish region through Turkey’s Ceyhan port after a two-year suspension.
Discussions between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kurdish Regional President Nechirvan Barzani emphasized regional cooperation and improved ties.
The PKK, involved in a decades-long insurgency across Turkey, Iraq, and Syria, agreed earlier this year to disarm and renounce violence as part of a new peace initiative.
Turkish Airlines has confirmed it will soon resume flights to Sulaymaniyah, further signaling strengthened cooperation between Turkey and the Kurdish region.