Baghdad salary freeze hits Kurdistan's taxi drivers hard
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Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
PM Al-Sudani in Basra to confront water crisis
Shafaq News - Basra 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.
Gulf Insider
4 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Iraq Leads in OPEC Crude Exports to U.S.
Authored by Charles Kennedy via Iraq exported nearly 7 million barrels of crude to the U.S. in May, surpassing all other OPEC members. The surge in Iraqi shipments meets U.S. demand for heavier Middle Eastern crude grades amid OPEC+ output cuts. Rising oil exports provide vital fiscal support for Iraq, where crude sales generate about 90% of government revenue. OPEC's second-largest producer, Iraq, was the single biggest supplier of crude from the cartel to the United States in May, per data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) cited by Iraqi media outlets Shafaq News and IraqiNews. Iraq ranked first among the 12 OPEC producers in terms of exports to the United States in May. Shipments totaled nearly 7 million barrels of crude, 6.95 million barrels to be precise. The second-largest OPEC supplier to the U.S. was Nigeria with 6.803 million barrels of crude oil exports, followed by Saudi Arabia with 6.208 million barrels of crude. Iraq has boosted exports in recent years, including to the United States, as it hasn't adhered to its supply quota under the OPEC+ agreements. Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Russia have been overproducing above targets for years. But in May, Iraq cut its crude oil production by 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 3.93 million bpd, compared to its target of 4.049 million bpd, according to the latest OPEC data from secondary sources. Iraq is compensating for previous overproduction as it has been one of the main overproducers in the OPEC+ deal for years, alongside Kazakhstan and Russia, non-OPEC members of the OPEC+ pact. Last month, estimates put Iraq's crude oil exports to the United States surging past 5 million barrels in May, marking Baghdad's highest monthly volume to U.S. refiners so far this year. The surge reflects sustained U.S. appetite for heavier Middle Eastern grades, with Iraqi crude averaging between 160,000 bpd and 190,000 bpd in May. As OPEC+ maintains voluntary output curbs and U.S. shale growth moderates, Iraq has solidified its position among Washington's top five crude suppliers. Iraq's export increase also provides critical fiscal relief for Baghdad, with crude sales accounting for roughly 90% of Iraq's state revenue. Recent price support near $80 per barrel has further underpinned Iraq's monthly revenues, helping finance public sector wages and infrastructure projects. Also Read: US Health Secretary RFK Jr. Unloads Disturbing Vaccine Secrets
Rudaw Net
4 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Turkey approves increased water flow to aid Iraq amid growing crisis
Also in Iraq Unfinished Stories: End of Mesopotamia Iraq urges Turkey to increase water flow amid severe crisis Baghdad-Erbil oil talks stall over federal refusal to sign written deal: Source Three suspected ISIS members killed in Kirkuk operation A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey has agreed to increase the release of water into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers by 420 cubic meters per second daily, starting Wednesday, in response to Iraq's worsening water crisis, the Iraqi parliament announced. The agreement follows a meeting in Ankara on Tuesday between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani. According to an official statement from the Iraqi legislature, the Turkish president approved Mashhadani's 'request to release 420 cubic meters of water per second daily, starting from tomorrow, Wednesday." Mashhadani had 'requested that [Iraq's] water issue receive the Turkish leadership's attention' to ensure water access for all Iraqi citizens, 'especially in regions suffering from drought and scarcity in southern Iraq.' The statement cited Erdogan as 'responding positively,' stating, 'Turkey shares what God has bestowed upon it with its brothers in Iraq and will not withhold it from them.' Iraq relies heavily on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for its water supply, both of which originate in Turkey. However, extensive dam projects in Turkey, including the Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP), have drastically reduced water flow downstream into Iraq. This reduced supply has led to extreme drought and desertification. Reports show Iraq now receives less than 40 percent of its historical water share, putting immense pressure on agriculture, daily use, and environmental sustainability. Iraq and Turkey are also engaged in agreements and negotiations regarding water sharing. In April 2024, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and the Turkish President, Erdogan, signed a multi-billion-dollar strategic agreement in Baghdad to manage shared water resources. The 10-year pact included joint river management projects and opened the door for increased Turkish investment under Iraqi coordination. Despite this milestone agreement, Iraq continues to face a severe water crisis. In late May, Iraq's water reserves dropped to their lowest levels in 80 years, according to Khaled Shamal, spokesperson for the Iraqi water resources ministry. 'At the start of the summer season, we should have at least 18 billion cubic meters of water. Today, we only have about 10 billion,' he warned in an interview with Rudaw, noting that agricultural plans have been drastically cut. Given the ongoing crisis, Iraqi politicians have consistently called for a binding, comprehensive international agreement with Turkey to secure Iraq's fair share of water and ensure long-term sustainability. Public pressure is also growing. Southern provinces like Basra have seen widespread protests in recent weeks over severe water shortages and pollution. Beyond the water issue, the Iraqi Parliament Speaker, Mashhadani, emphasized Iraq's current security and stability as an opportunity for deepened economic ties. He encouraged 'reputable Turkish companies" to invest in strategic projects, including the ambitious Development Road Project, which he said will have "a profound impact on the region's economic and political stability." The Development Road Project - also known as the Dry Canal Project - is a $17 billion transit project that will link the Persian Gulf to Europe through Iraq's Grand Faw Port, continuing to the Turkish border at Faysh Khabur southwest of the Kurdistan Region. The project aims to enhance Iraq's geopolitical position, boost the economy, and create thousands of jobs.
