Iraq calls on Turkey to increase water releases to face drought crisis

The Iraqi Parliament called on Turkey to increase water releases to face the drought crisis that has caused significant damage and negative repercussions to the agricultural and livestock sectors in Iraq.

This came during a meeting between the Iraqi parliament’s first deputy speaker, Muhsin al-Mendlawi, and the Turkish ambassador to Iraq, Ali Konayı, and his accompanying delegation.

According to a statement issued by the parliament’s media department, seen by Shia News Agency, al-Mendlawi discussed the “need to expedite the completion of the upcoming international development road as it is an important economic corridor and the largest transport project in the region, in addition to its role in promoting global trade and developing infrastructure in the country.”

Al-Mendlawi also demanded “the facilitation of visa procedures between the two countries and the activation of intelligence cooperation to secure borders and pursue terrorist organizations.”