PM Al-Sudani in Basra to confront water crisis
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani arrived in the southern province of Basra on Wednesday, leading a delegation of ministers and advisors, according to a statement from his media office.
Shortly after landing, Al-Sudani met with Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani to review the latest measures aimed at containing the province's escalating water crisis.
Sources informed Shafaq News that the visit also seeks to reinforce water supply initiatives, revive long-stalled desalination projects, and accelerate emergency responses in districts facing the harshest impacts.
Concerns have mounted in recent weeks over increasing salinity and pollution levels in Basra's water supply, triggering widespread complaints over deteriorating drinking water and mounting damage to farmland and livestock across several areas.
Last week, the Basra Governor confirmed that a major seawater desalination project is expected to proceed soon as part of a long-term strategy to address rising salinity. In response, the Iraqi government allocated 18 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $13.8 million) for immediate interventions in Basra, including repairs to irrigation infrastructure and upgrades to water pumping stations.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
19 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Baghdad rejects military movements near Kurdistan borders
Shafaq News – Garmian On Friday, the Iraqi Security Media Cell denied reports claiming there were military movements by Iraqi army units, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), or Peshmerga forces in the border areas between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region. In a statement posted on X, the Security Media Cell affirmed that the disputed territories are managed under a unified command and joint coordination between Baghdad and Erbil, noting that communication between federal and Kurdish forces is being maintained through joint coordination centers and high-level military leadership. خلية الإعلام الامني تنفي اخبارا مزعومة متداولة إعلاميا عن تحركات عسكرية غير اعتيادية في مناطق الاهتمام المشترك =====================تداولت بعض وسائل الإعلام ومنصات التواصل الاجتماعي خبرا مزعوما مفاده "تحركات لقطعات من الجيش العراقي وهيئة الحشد الشعبي او البيشمركة في مناطق… — خلية الإعلام الأمني🇮🇶 (@SecMedCell) July 4, 2025 Earlier, a security source told Shafaq News that Peshmerga forces under the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) declared a state of emergency in Garmian, which lies within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, as Iraqi troops mobilized nearby. Garmiyan is a region in southern Iraqi Kurdistan. Once a rural agricultural area, it gained strategic importance due to its proximity to Kirkuk and the Iranian border. During the 1980s, it was a key base for Kurdish resistance and suffered heavily during Saddam Hussein's Anfal campaign.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Gaza ceasefire unveiled, Hamas responds positively
Shafaq News – Gaza/Middle East Hamas submitted a 'positive' response to the US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal, a Palestinian official told Reuters on Friday. The proposed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas—mediated by Egypt and Qatar, outlines a 60-day truce with phased hostage exchanges and humanitarian aid provisions, guaranteed by US President Donald Trump. Eight living hostages would be released on day one. On day seven, Hamas would return the bodies of five deceased hostages, followed by five more bodies on day thirty. Two additional hostages would be freed alive on day fifty, and eight more deceased hostages would be returned on day sixty. The proposal also includes the immediate transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza upon Hamas's acceptance of the deal. Deliveries must continue throughout the 60-day truce and be provided 'in large quantities and based on need,' referencing the humanitarian aid agreement signed on January 19, 2025. Distribution would be coordinated through agreed channels, including the United Nations and the Red Crescent. Military and intelligence aerial activity over Gaza would be paused for 10 hours daily—or 12 hours on days when hostages are released. Moreover, on the first day of the agreement, Israeli forces would reposition in northern Gaza following the release of live hostages. After the return of deceased hostages on day seven, a further redeployment would occur in the south. The proposal also mandates negotiations during the truce on key issues aimed at reaching a permanent ceasefire. These talks would address the release of all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Israeli troop withdrawals, long-term security arrangements, governance of Gaza after the war, and the formal declaration of peace.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Zelenskyy, Trump agree to boost Ukraine's air defense
Shafaq News – Kyiv/Washington On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he and US President Donald Trump agreed in a phone call to strengthen Ukraine's air defense cooperation. Zelenskyy described the conversation as 'fruitful,' saying the two leaders discussed expanding defense collaboration, including joint production and procurement, adding, 'We have also agreed to a meeting between our team.' He also briefed Trump on recent Russian airstrikes and frontline developments and emphasized Ukraine's readiness for direct defense industry projects with the US, particularly in drone technology. I had a very important and fruitful conversation with @POTUS. I congratulated President Trump and the entire American people on the US Independence - in Ukraine - are grateful for all the support provided. It helps us protect lives, safeguard our freedom and… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 4, 2025 For his part, Trump has not approved new military aid or imposed additional sanctions on Russia since taking office in January, despite repeated expressions of concern over Russia's continued aggression. The call lasted approximately 40 minutes, according to a report by Axios citing unnamed sources, and followed Trump's July 3 phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Kremlin, Putin reaffirmed that Russia would continue pursuing its military objectives in Ukraine. While Russia and Ukraine resumed direct negotiations earlier this year, two rounds of talks held in Istanbul — on May 16 and June 2 — have so far resulted only in prisoner exchanges, with no progress on a ceasefire or broader settlement.
