The water crisis and its impact on Iraqi national security

Abstract

The importance of water is considered as a natural and major resource, as it plays an important role in all aspects of life, and it is considered one of the factors  which human life and all of  economic, political, social, agricultural activities and various other services depend on.especially in dry or semi-dry regions which the  rainfall rates are less,  Iraq is one, as   The Iraqi water reports indicated, that the reality has led to a real water crisis, especially after these water resources were exposed to climate change and many human impacts, the most important of which is the dropping in the levels of rivers descending from neighboring countries.The importance of water resources in Iraq is increasing at the present time as a result there are  increasing in population, the development of civilization, and the increase in basic human requirements, as water is considered one of the most important foundations of national security in any country,the weakness of proper exploitation of rivers water, and the misuse of existing water, in addition to climate changes represented by rising temperatures and lack of rainfall. It makes us to aware that the water problem is linked to three main dimensions.The first is linked to global climate changes such as global warming and climate change that has led to a decrease in rainfall, and the second is linked to global climate changes such as global warming and climate change that has led to a decrease in rainfall nternal due to poor planning and management of water resources, represented by the lack of construction of dams and lakes storing  water on surface rivers in Iraq, the lack of lining of canals, the absence and weakness of water guidance,the use of traditional irrigation methods, the low cost of water, and the high population numbers, in addition to the drying up of the marshes. As for the third dimension, it is a regional dimension due to the presence of water sources.Iraqi waters are out its borders, as well as political tension, the absence of international law, and the non-compliance of upstream countries with agreements and laws related to the division of water,which makes the situation in Iraq facing challenges related to water now and in the future. Its political, economic and social effects will be reflected in Iraq, and then the water problem will have a negative impact on Iraqi national security.