Assessing implications of Turkish dams on the national security of the countries affected by the Tigris and Euphrates

Turkey, with its upstream position in the Tigris and Euphrates catchments, has built 14 dams on the Euphrates and 8 dams on the Tigris. Since the main tributaries of these rivers originate in Turkey, these dams have the ability to control almost all the annual flows of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the country. The construction of dams in Turkey has provided the ground for conflict between the countries affected by the international rivers Tigris and Euphrates with this country and among each other. The aim of this study is to explain the consequences of Turkish dams on the national security of the countries affected by the Tigris and Euphrates. This research tries to answer the question with a descriptive-analytical method What implications has the construction of Turkish dams on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers had on the national security of the countries affected by these rivers? Findings show that Turkish dam construction has weakened natural ecosystems by drying up large parts of the Mesopotamian wetlands and destroying the environment of the affected area by forming foci of dust formation, increasing disease, unemployment, smuggling, insecurity and expanding migration. Using its geopolitical position, Turkey has pursued its unilateralist and expansionist policies by controlling the vital and strategic resources of the Tigris and Euphrates basins, operating and playing a hydro-hegemonic role. Turkish dams have endangered the national security of countries affected by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Data collection was done by library method and with the tool of recording documents, books, media, articles and electronic sources