Anbar – INA
Joint committees from Iraq and Syria discussed on Wednesday efforts to address water challenges and achieve better management of water resources to serve the interests of both countries. They also emphasized the importance of continued coordination and joint work in preparation for the trilateral technical committee meetings between Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
During a meeting with a technical delegation from the Syrian Arab Republic at the Haditha Dam, Deputy Minister of Water Resources Raed al-Jashami told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the Syrian delegation's visit comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of water management." He explained that "Iraq and the region have witnessed significant challenges in recent years due to droughts and declining water levels."
He added that "coordination between technical personnel in Iraq and Syria has contributed to water resource management and utilizing the water abundance witnessed this season." He noted that "the visit represents an opportunity to exchange technical and administrative expertise and build a unified position on water issues with Türkiye, the upstream country."
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Water Resources pointed out that "current water releases do not exceed 55 percent of the required levels, and coordination continues with relevant authorities to maximize the use of available resources during the summer season."
For his part, the head of the Syrian delegation, Osama Abu Zeid, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that he "thanks the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources for the invitation," emphasizing that "the Euphrates and Tigris rivers represent shared strategic importance for both countries, and that unifying the technical vision contributes to achieving the interests of Iraq and Syria."