The Problem of the Shared Water CrisisBetween Iraq and Neighboring Countries- A Legal Study

Abstract

Water is a basic resource and wealth, not only for humans but for all living beings. Due to Iraq's location within arid and semi-arid regions, it has recently been suffering from a real water crisis, with the water deficit reaching more than half of its allocated amount. Water scarcity has also significantly impacted national security, the economy, and development. Since Iraq is one of the countries that share the Tigris and Euphrates rivers with Turkey, Iran, and Syria, and is a downstream country, these waters are considered shared and regulated according to international agreements on water quotas, so that the upstream and downstream countries can enjoy them. However, in recent decades, it has been observed that both Turkey and Iran have built numerous dams and are working to change the courses of tributaries, contrary to the principles and agreements that govern the water basin of countries that share international rivers. Therefore, the search came to find fair legal solutions that satisfy these parties and resolve the issue of water scarcity facing the countries that share these rivers in accordance with the principles of international public law.