Iraqi Minister sounds alarm on "serious challenges"
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mohammed Ali Tamim, said on Monday that the country continues to face major challenges, particularly those related to climate change and the worsening water shortage.
Representing Iraq at the opening session of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development—held by the United Nations in New York from July 21 to 24 to assess global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—Tamim stressed that the water crisis remains one of Iraq's most urgent challenges. He expressed gratitude for the UN's continued support to developing countries and acknowledged the meaningful cooperation of international partners in addressing this critical issue.
Earlier, Iraq's Green Observatory estimated the country's annual groundwater reserves at 3.4 billion cubic meters, with sustainable yields potentially exceeding 5 billion cubic meters per year.
Official Iraqi data indicate the country could face a 20% decline in surface water availability by 2035, driven by upstream flow reductions and the escalating impacts of climate change.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
France's recognition of Palestinian State: Israel condemns, Hamas welcomes
Shafaq News – Middle East Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister sharply condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state, calling it a dangerous concession that rewards terrorism and threatens Israel's security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move 'rewards terror' and warned it would turn Palestinian territories into 'another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became.' 'A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.' We strongly condemn President Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre. Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a… — Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 24, 2025 Foreign Minister Israel Katz described Macron's declaration as 'a disgrace and a surrender to terror,' accusing the French leader of weakening Israel instead of standing by it. 'We will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence, and undermine our historic right to the Land of Israel,' Katz stated. הכרזת מקרון על כוונתו להכיר במדינה פלסטינית היא חרפה וכניעה לטרור ומתן פרס ורוח גבית למרצחי ואנסי החמאס, שביצעו את הטבח הנורא ביותר בעם היהודי מאז השואה.במקום להתייצב לצד ישראל בעת מבחן זאת, נשיא צרפת פועל להחליש אותה.לא נאפשר הקמת ישות פלסטינית שתפגע בביטחוננו ותסכן את קיומנו… — ישראל כ'ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 24, 2025 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took a more defiant tone, saying Macron's move provided Israel with 'yet another compelling reason' to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, which Israeli officials refer to as Judea and Samaria. 'This will be our fitting Zionist response to the one-sided pressure and coercive measures led by President Macron and his allies,' Smotrich said, calling for a definitive rejection of 'the failed concept of establishing a Palestinian terrorist state in the heart of the Land of Israel.' I thank President Macron for providing yet another compelling reason to finally apply Israeli sovereignty over the historic regions of Judea and Samaria, and to definitively abandon the failed concept of establishing a Palestinian terroist state in the heart of the Land of… — בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) July 24, 2025 The criticism came in response to Macron's announcement that France will formally recognize the State of Palestine during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in September. 'In keeping with our historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,' the French president said in a statement. The decision places France among a growing list of European countries, including Spain, Ireland, and Norway, that have moved to recognize Palestinian statehood in the absence of peace negotiations. Macron has framed the step as part of a broader push to revive a two-state solution and signal international support for Palestinian self-determination. The Palestinian group Hamas welcomed the move, calling on other European countries to take similar steps. The group added that France's position 'reflects the growing global conviction in the justice of our cause and the failure of the occupation to distort the truth or suppress the will of nations.' The Israeli government has repeatedly opposed any unilateral recognition of Palestine, arguing it undermines prospects for direct negotiations and emboldens militant groups such as Hamas. France had long advocated for a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but had refrained from taking formal steps toward recognition.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Nechirvan Barzani: The Man with the Map
Shafaq News In a region marked by overlapping crises and fragile political alignments, Nechirvan Barzani—President of the Kurdistan Region—has remained a consistent, though often low-profile, figure in high-stakes negotiations. His involvement spans Iraqi internal disputes, Kurdish reconciliation, and regional diplomacy. Rather than seeking the spotlight or confrontation, Barzani has favored strategic mediation and behind-the-scenes coordination—an approach aimed at maintaining dialogue and limiting escalation. Between Institutional Gridlock and Regional Pressure Amid Iraq's recurring constitutional stalemates—particularly after the 2021 elections—Barzani participated in initiatives encouraging dialogue among polarized blocs. His visit to Najaf alongside Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and Sunni Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, while not producing immediate outcomes, was interpreted by Baghdad officials as a move to preserve institutional continuity. Sources cited by Shafaq News viewed the meeting as important for maintaining communication, which later contributed to the formation of the federal cabinet in late 2022. In 2023, a new challenge arose when the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris ruled that Turkiye must pay Iraq approximately $1.5 billion for breaching the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline (ITP) agreement by allowing unauthorized Kurdish oil exports. The ruling also halted oil loading and export operations through the pipeline, significantly impacting the Kurdistan Region's revenue. Despite the economic disruption, Barzani continued dialogue with Baghdad and sought alternatives. Although Turkiye did not resume pumping oil through the Kirkuk- Ceyhan line, discussions between Erbil and Baghdad remain ongoing. In early 2025, Barzani returned to Baghdad with proposals on oil revenue sharing, budget allocations, and disputed territories. According to sources within the State Administration Coalition, his approach focused on institutional frameworks over ad hoc arrangements. Presidential spokesperson Delshad Shihab stated that Barzani's repeated visits to Baghdad are aligned with a strategy based on constitutional dialogue. While views differ on the long-term outcomes of this approach, it has been credited with reducing the risk of further deterioration in federal-Kurdish relations. Mediating Between Turkiye and the PKK Barzani has also been involved in efforts to address the long-standing conflict between Turkiye and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Diplomatic sources told Shafaq News that, beginning in 2022, he hosted informal meetings in Erbil between Turkish officials and Kurdish figures. These dialogues aimed to encourage political engagement over military escalation. A significant development came in May 2025, when the PKK's military wing announced its dissolution. Some Turkish Kurdish sources linked the move to 'moral and political guarantees' associated with Barzani's role. Former PKK-affiliated officials described his involvement as going beyond facilitation, suggesting he provided assurances to support the process. While the broader implications of this development remain to be seen, observers view Barzani's efforts as part of wider attempts to shift dynamics along the Turkey-Kurdistan Region border. Crisis Management During Iran-Israel War Barzani's role during the Iran-Israel escalation in spring 2025 also drew attention. Amid Iranian accusations that Israel was operating from within the Kurdistan Region, local authorities increased security measures around the Harir airbase and eastern border areas. Tasnim, a media outlet affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, noted these actions positively, suggesting they contributed to preventing confrontation. While this aligns with Iranian strategic messaging, it also reflects a degree of acknowledgment of the Kurdistan Region's efforts to manage the situation. Unofficial Channels In Syria Reports have also linked Barzani to informal diplomacy concerning the Syrian Kurdish file. Al Monitor and Middle East Eye cited anonymous sources describing him as a go-between for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Ankara, and Washington. One example came in July 2025, when US envoy Tom Barrack met SDF commander Mazloum Abdi in Amman. Al Monitor reported that this shift in tone may have been facilitated through indirect mediation by Barzani. Although not confirmed officially, his longstanding relations with Ankara and elements of the Syrian Kurdish movement lend some credibility to these accounts. A Deliberate Political Style According to Delshad Shihab, 'President Nechirvan Barzani always emphasizes that the interest of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region lies in avoiding entanglement in regional conflicts that could harm their people. He believes that neutrality is a strategic choice, not just a posture.' Unlike some regional leaders, Barzani generally refrains from public confrontation. His political approach—often described by supporters as pragmatic and measured—has allowed him to maintain dialogue with a range of actors across Iraq's political spectrum. Former Kurdistan Parliament member Ali Hussein Faily noted that Barzani's influence does not stem from public rhetoric but from his calculated and discreet methods. Strategic Mediator or Regional Actor? Ali Hussein Faily, who accompanied Barzani on various diplomatic missions, remarked that Barzani avoids aligning with combative political camps and instead positions himself as a facilitator. According to Faily, his ability to remain engaged with multiple sides has preserved his credibility. He added that Barzani's engagement with international and regional actors has contributed to reshaping Erbil's profile 'from a post-conflict city into a center for commerce, diplomacy, and tourism. Developments in infrastructure and international outreach are cited as part of a vision for stability, though assessments of this trajectory vary.' While perspectives on Barzani's style and effectiveness differ, his involvement across multiple arenas—from federal negotiations to regional diplomacy—reflects a growing role. Whether this translates into durable political shifts remains uncertain, but his presence in sensitive negotiations and the trust he commands across diverse actors continue to make him a notable figure in the region's evolving landscape.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Death toll in Suwayda violence surpasses 1,300 as watchdog warns of war crimes
Shafaq News – Damascus The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) on Thursday reported a new death toll of 1,386 people killed in the violent clashes that have gripped Suwayda province since July 13, including dozens of civilians, women, and children. The UK-based monitor said Suwayda had entered a new and unprecedented phase of bloodshed following fierce confrontations between local armed groups and Syrian government forces backed by personnel from the Defense and Interior Ministries. During this period, the province witnessed 'serious human rights violations,' most notably the summary execution of dozens of civilians. Between the outbreak of fighting on July 13 and the entry into force of a ceasefire on July 21, the Observatory documented the deaths of 238 individuals, including 30 women, 8 children, and an elderly man. According to the report, all of them were executed on the spot by gunmen wearing the uniforms of the Syrian Defense and Interior Ministries. These executions reportedly took place across various locations in the province, including schools and public buildings used as makeshift detention centers. The Observatory stated that field evidence and recorded testimonies indicated that several killings were carried out on sectarian and retaliatory grounds, amid widespread lawlessness and alleged involvement of state-affiliated forces responsible for civilian protection. It warned that the massacres, which remain unaccounted for, highlight a 'serious moral collapse' within Syria's security and military institutions and the continued policy of impunity. The overall death toll since July 13—including casualties from clashes, summary executions, and Israeli airstrikes—has risen to 1,386. Among the dead are 657 people from Suwayda, including 124 civilians, 10 children, and 24 women. At least 469 were personnel from the Syrian Ministry of Defense and the General Security Directorate, including 40 Bedouin tribal fighters and one Lebanese national. The Observatory concluded that the events in Suwayda between July 13 and 21 constitute systematic killings and summary executions of civilians that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents.
