Baghdad - Turkey has started holding back water behind its Ilisu dam, a step that has alarmed neighbouring Iraq, a major trade partner that faces what its government says is a water crisis.
Iraq is surprised by Turkey's decision to start holding back water behind its Ilisu dam earlier than promised, Prime Minister Haider Abadi said on Tuesday, suggesting it was done to win support for the government in upcoming elections.
Turkey has started filling the dam basin, a step that has alarmed neighbouring Iraq, which is struggling with a water crisis.
"The Turkish prime minister had promised me they would start filling the dam at the end of June, not the start, so I was surprised to see they started," Abadi told a news conference.
"I am aware that they have elections on June 24 and perhaps need to get the support of farmers," he added, referring to Turkey's planned general elections for president and parliament.
Turkey's ambassador in Baghdad sought to ease concerns in Iraq on Tuesday, saying Ankara is cooperating.
"This is an important matter for both countries," Fatih Yildiz told a news conference through an Arabic translator. "We will not take any step without consultation with the neighbouring country on how we can cooperate and provide support during any problem."
The Ministry of Forest and Water Management spokesman said Turkey was "partially" filling the dam's basin by closing one of the valves on the first of three diversion tunnels.
Around 70 percent of Iraq's water resources in Iraq flow from neighbouring countries, especially in the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. Both flow through Turkey.
Iraqi media are raising alarm bells. The country is already suffering from a drought that has reduced water levels in lakes and rivers. Much of the blame has been directed at Turkey.
"There are plans to secure our water resources on both the domestic and foreign fronts. Yes, there is a water shortage this year, but it is not a crisis," Abadi said.
The government has plans to provide water to farmers, he added, especially for Iraq's strategic wheat crop. At the same time, it might reduce plots of land reserved for planting other crops that consume a lot of water.
Iraqi media suggested Baghdad had asked Ankara to delay holding back water because of its own election, which took place on May 12. Abadi's bloc came third, but he may yet secure a second term if he gathers support from the winning groups.
