The Syrian Future Movement is closely following the rapidly developing Syrian-Iraqi relations, which this week culminated in two complementary steps: First, the signing of the minutes of a bilateral technical meeting in Damascus on Thursday, November 5, 2026, between the Syrian Ministry of Energy and the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, aimed at strengthening the management of shared water resources. The minutes were signed by Osama Abu Zeid, Deputy Minister of Energy for Water and Electricity Affairs, and Hussein Abdul Amir Bakka, Technical Undersecretary of the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources.
Second, on the evening of Thursday, November 5, 2026, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Nidal al-Shaar issued a decree establishing the Syrian-Iraqi Business Council, headed by Zuhair al-Hazzaa on the Syrian side, and designating him as the sole representative of the Syrian side in relations with Iraq.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates these two steps, viewing them as a practical implementation of a national strategic direction emphasized by the head of the transitional phase, Ahmed al-Sharaa, when he stressed that the relationship between Syria and Iraq must be built on shared interests and ties, foremost among them the economy, security, water, border crossings, development, and agriculture, and that these interests should take precedence over any capricious policies—a position we support.
However, the Syrian Future Movement reminds us that signing the minutes and issuing the resolutions is the beginning of the process, not the end. The true test lies in implementation and in the ability of these mechanisms to achieve tangible results that impact the lives of citizens in both countries.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the minutes of the technical water meeting include key provisions, most notably activating trilateral coordination between Syria, Iraq, and Turkey regarding transboundary waters of the Euphrates River; establishing joint hydrological monitoring stations on the river; enhancing the exchange of water data and information; conducting joint periodic water quality tests; developing technical cooperation, building capacity, and exchanging expertise in water resource management, dam monitoring, and operation; and preparing for a trilateral meeting with Turkish participation in March 2027.
The Syrian Future Movement considers these minutes an important step towards addressing the chronic water crisis, but it should not be viewed in isolation from the scale of the water catastrophe.
According to documented reports, approximately 13.3 million people in Syria suffer from food insecurity, and more than 15.6 million people require humanitarian assistance, while the Euphrates River’s flow has declined to unprecedented levels.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates that the available storage capacity in the Euphrates dams currently stands at approximately one billion cubic meters, according to the Ministry of Energy. This is an indicator of the fragility of the water situation and necessitates urgent action, not just mere minutes and agreements.
The Syrian Future Movement also reaffirms its consistent position, published on its official website in its statement entitled “World Water Week Activities,” dated August 24, 2026. In that statement, it emphasized that “the water issue in Syria has become a matter of national security and sovereignty of utmost serious concern.” It called for “internationalizing and protecting the shared water resources” through “a new water diplomacy based on international laws pertaining to international waterways,” as well as for “sound and sustainable local governance” and “neutralizing essential services from the conflict.”
The Syrian Future Movement considers the recent minutes, with their inclusion of activating trilateral coordination and establishing joint monitoring stations, a first step in this direction. However, it remains incomplete unless it evolves into a binding agreement guaranteeing equitable water shares for Syria.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the formation of the Syrian-Iraqi Business Council comes amidst reciprocal governmental efforts to develop relations, most notably the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi to Damascus on October 28, 2026, and his meeting with the head of the transitional government, Ahmed al-Sharaa. They discussed strengthening political, security, economic, and trade cooperation, including increasing the volume of trade, cooperation in the energy sector and the export of Iraqi oil through Syrian territory, and developing the agricultural sector.
We also note that the Iraqi government agreed in early November 2026 to facilitate entry visa procedures for Syrian businesspeople holding first and second-class VIP status, a positive step that contributes to removing obstacles for Syrian traders.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the Business Council, as the sole representative of the Syrian side, bears a significant responsibility in translating aspirations into tangible projects. However, it faces fundamental challenges, most notably the absence of an integrated banking and logistical environment between the two countries, the weak infrastructure of border crossings, and the disparity in customs and tax regulations.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its firm position, published on its official website in its statement entitled “The Anticipated Economic Link Between Syria and Iraq Under US Auspices,” dated July 8, 2026. While welcoming economic rapprochement, it emphasized that “truly benefiting from this rapprochement requires the completion of strategic projects, foremost among them the revitalization of the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline, the development of border crossings, and the facilitation of the movement of people and goods.”
The Syrian Future Movement believes that these two steps, despite their importance, present a number of fundamental challenges:
First: The absence of binding commitments in the water agreement – The Syrian Future Movement notes that the agreement is a “technical meeting record,” not a binding agreement, and that it merely calls for “activating coordination,” “establishing gauging stations,” and “exchanging data,” without including clear commitments regarding equitable water quotas for Syria, or mechanisms for arbitration in the event of disputes with upstream countries.
The Syrian Future Movement asks: Will this agreement become a legally binding agreement guaranteeing Syria’s right to the Euphrates waters, or will it remain merely a framework for technical coordination without real guarantees?
Secondly: The need for sovereign guarantees in the water issue – The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that any coordination with Turkey regarding transboundary waters must be based on international law and preserve the Syrian sovereignty.
Syria’s historical rights must be respected, and the fate of millions of Syrians should not be left hostage to non-binding technical agreements.
The Syrian Future Movement reminds us that Syria has suffered for years from declining water levels in the Euphrates River and from water shortages affecting entire cities and villages. Any solution must guarantee equitable distribution and the sustainability of resources.
Third: The need to translate the Business Council into tangible results – The Syrian Future Movement notes that while the formation of the Business Council is important, it does not negate the need for a clear legal framework to regulate economic relations between the two countries, ensure the settlement of trade disputes, facilitate the movement of capital and goods, and remove customs and non-customs barriers.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the Council’s success will not be measured by the number of its meetings, but rather by the volume of investments it attracts, the increase in trade it generates, and the job opportunities it creates.
Fourth: The lack of transparency in the formation and follow-up mechanisms – The Syrian Future Movement notes that the decision to form the Business Council was issued without a clear announcement of the criteria for selecting its members, the mechanisms for holding it accountable, or how it will represent the various economic sectors. The Syrian Future Movement calls for greater transparency in the formation of joint councils and for ensuring genuine representation of the private sector in all its components, not just limited groups.
Based on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
First: Elevating the Water Agreement to a Legally Binding Contract – The Syrian Future Movement calls on the transitional government to work towards transforming the minutes of the technical meeting into a legally binding contract with Iraq and Turkey. This contract should define Syria’s equitable water quotas, establish an arbitration mechanism in case of disputes, and guarantee Syria’s right to the Euphrates River waters in accordance with international law.
Second: Enhancing Transparency in the Work of the Business Council – The Syrian Future Movement calls for the publication of the criteria for selecting council members, its operational mechanisms, and periodic reports on its activities and outcomes. It also calls for ensuring representation of various economic sectors and Syrian regions, thereby strengthening the confidence of investors and traders.
Third: Launching a National Economic Infrastructure Plan with Iraq – The Syrian Future Movement calls for expediting the development of border crossings, improving roads and railways, modernizing customs and tax systems, and reviving the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline to provide the necessary environment for the success of the Business Council.
Fourth: Linking Economic Cooperation to Addressing Outstanding Issues – The Syrian Future Movement calls for linking progress in economic relations to resolving the cases of Syrian citizens in Iraq (such as detainees and missing persons) and guaranteeing the rights of Syrian workers, as the Movement demanded in its statement on judicial cooperation with Iraq dated August 14, 2026.
Fifth: Strengthening Coordination with Upstream Countries to Ensure Water Security – The Syrian Future Movement calls for the continuation of dialogue with Turkey, mediated by Iraq, to reach a comprehensive and equitable agreement on the Tigris and Euphrates waters. This agreement should guarantee Syria’s historical rights and end the uncertainty experienced by farmers and citizens in the Euphrates basin.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates the two steps taken this week to strengthen Syrian-Iraqi relations and sees them as an indication of genuine political will to develop cooperation on two vital issues: water and the economy.
However, the Syrian Future Movement reiterates that signatures and statements are not enough. The true test lies in implementation and in the ability of these mechanisms to translate aspirations into tangible realities that impact citizens’ lives.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that water is a matter of national security and existence, and that the economy is the lifeblood of the people and the opportunities for their children.
For its part, the Syrian Future Movement will remain a supporter of all that strengthens Syrian water security and bolsters the national economy, while criticizing any shortcomings and monitoring all that is accomplished on the ground, striving for a new Syria where the rights of its citizens to water, food, and dignity are protected.
