Shafaq News- Al-Diwaniyah
Iraq's Water Resources Ministry onWednesday dismissed Ahmed Jaber Zeidan, the director of the Hurriya–Dagharairrigation project in Al-Diwaniyah province, following complaints fromresidents and “shortcomings” in the project's management.
During a field tour to review waterconditions and local needs, Minister Muthanna Al-Tamimi also appointed areplacement to the post, ordering increased water releases into the Al-HillahRiver to help secure drinking water supplies for the affected areas.
The Hurriya–Daghara project is oneof the main irrigation schemes in Al-Diwaniyah province, serving parts of Afak,Daghara, Somar, Saniya, and Al-Bdair districts. It covers a total area of635,000 dunums (about 63,500 hectares), including 207,000 dunums of developedirrigated land. The initiative supports agricultural activity across a largelyarid region where farming depends heavily on river- and canal-fed irrigation.
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The development comes as Iraq isexperiencing one of its most severe drought periods in recent years, accordingto the ministry, due to climate change and declining river inflows linked toupstream water projects. Although the latest rainy season improved water levelsin dams and reservoirs, officials have described the gains as temporary reliefrather than a long-term solution.