Egypt Removes 58,000 Encroachments on Nile River

The campaign to remove encroachments on the Nile River. (Ministry of Water Resources)
The campaign to remove encroachments on the Nile River. (Ministry of Water Resources)
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Egypt Removes 58,000 Encroachments on Nile River

The campaign to remove encroachments on the Nile River. (Ministry of Water Resources)
The campaign to remove encroachments on the Nile River. (Ministry of Water Resources)

The Egyptian government has launched a national campaign to end illegal encroachments on the Nile River, as the country faces a shortage in its water resources.

Minister of Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aty announced that the authorities have so far removed more than 58,000 violations over an area of ​​8.4 million square meters, in full coordination with the security agencies and the various state authorities.

During a meeting with the executive leaders, Abdel Aty stressed that the ministry is determined to address all forms of encroachments on the Nile River, waterways, and irrigation properties.

He asserted that efforts would continue, and all concerned agencies are equipped with the necessary tools to implement the current removals.

They will take all necessary legal measures and refer the violators to the competent authorities.

The Minister stressed that the decisive response to these violations “is a clear message to whoever attempts to commit any form of encroachment on waterways or irrigation properties.

He added that the campaign aims to achieve good management, operation and maintenance of the water system and ensure that beneficiaries have access to their water needs.



Iraq, UK Agree on Trade Package Worth up to $15 Billion, Defense Deal

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) and Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (L) shake hands during their meeting in Downing Street in London, Britain, 14 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) and Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (L) shake hands during their meeting in Downing Street in London, Britain, 14 January 2025. (EPA)
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Iraq, UK Agree on Trade Package Worth up to $15 Billion, Defense Deal

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) and Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (L) shake hands during their meeting in Downing Street in London, Britain, 14 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) and Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (L) shake hands during their meeting in Downing Street in London, Britain, 14 January 2025. (EPA)

Iraq and Britain have agreed on a trade package worth up to 12.3 billion pounds ($14.98 billion) and a bilateral defense deal, the Iraqi and British prime ministers said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

The deal, envisaging more than 10 times the total of bilateral trade in 2024, was announced after a meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and British counterpart Keir Starmer at the latter's Downing Street offices.

It includes a 1.2-billion-pound project in which British-made power transmission systems will be used for a grid interconnection project between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, as well as a 500-million-pound plan to upgrade the Al-Qayyarah air base in northern Iraq.

A water infrastructure project by a UK-led consortium that will help provide clean water in arid southern and western Iraq is also part of the deal, the statement said. The project would be worth up to 5.3 billion pounds in UK exports.

Sudani and Starmer also signed a defense deal that "establishes the basis for a new era in security cooperation".

Sudani said earlier that the UK-Iraqi security deal would develop bilateral military ties after last year's announcement that the US-led coalition set up to fight ISIS would end its work in Iraq in 2026.

The Iraqi premier began an official visit to the United Kingdom on Monday amid historic geopolitical shifts in the Middle East.

Iraq is trying to avoid becoming a conflict zone once again amid a period of regional upheaval that has seen Iran's allies Hamas degraded in Gaza and Hezbollah battered in Lebanon during wars with Israel, and Bashar al-Assad toppled in Syria.