Case Study of International Water Conflict: Tigris-Euphrates

Question 1

Who shares the transboundary waters?

Answer 1

Turkey (headwaters), Syria, Iraq, (Tigris = Iran)

Question 2

Who controls the headwaters ?

Answer 2

Turkey

Question 3

Why was there conflict?

Answer 3

GAP project:

• 22 dams to promote socio-economic development in Turkey
• Will reduce Syria’s share of Euphrates by 80%
• Will reduce Iraq’s share of the Euphrates by 40% (could lose irrigation water to 1 million hectares)
• May impact Syria and Iraq’s water quality

Question 4

What agreements are in place to reduce conflict?

Answer 4

• 1987: Turkey & Syria agreement to guarantee a flow of the Euphrates to 500m3/sec
• 1990: Syria & Iraq- Syria agrees to share the Euphrates water with Iraq (58%)