Reflecting the challenges related to water scarcity on the distribution of Iraqi water resources

This research aims to understand the reality of water resources in Iraq, highlighting the most significant challenges it faces and proposing solutions. Rivers are among the most important water sources in Iraq, as the country relies on surface water resources from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which originate outside its borders, for 70% of its water supply. This constitutes a vulnerability, as Iraq is the last downstream country for the Tigris and Euphrates, and thus suffers from the problems and repercussions of the water policies of upstream countries. Projects and dams constructed by upstream countries, such as the Atatürk Dam on the Euphrates River in 1990, have significantly reduced the water flow to the Haditha Dam, directly impacting the lives and livelihoods of millions. The crisis did not end there. In 2017, the Ilisu Dam on the Tigris River was completed, and the Cizre Dam downstream of the Ilisu Dam is expected to be completed by 2026. These dams form a system that stifles Iraqi water resources, transforming rivers throughout history into mere meager streams. Alongside these regional developments, Iraq has been swept by unprecedented waves of drought and heat. This is part of global climate change, which has impacted Iraq's water and environmental situation, leading to a decrease in annual water revenue. This decrease has hindered the ability to meet the needs of the agricultural, industrial, and domestic sectors. Therefore, managing water resources in Iraq is essential to meeting increasing human needs. This research aims to shed light on the water situation in Iraq, the government's management of water resources, and the obstacles it faces, as necessary prerequisites for developing solutions. The research reached several conclusions, including that the solution to preserving and efficiently developing Iraq's water resources lies in adopting a suitable water strategy. This strategy should be based on a set of procedures and programs that focus on developing available water resources, maximizing their utilization, increasing the efficiency of their use, protecting their quality from pollution, and searching for new water sources. This will ensure an adequate water supply for the population. All these factors should serve as a catalyst for a new approach and a strategy based on scientific data and analysis to address the water crisis in Iraq.