Desertification Expanding in Iraq
Iraq is experiencing an escalating desertification crisis that has affected about 96.5 million dunams, representing approximately 55.5% of the country's land area. The number of now desertified lands has risen to 40.4 million dunams (23.2%), reflecting a 48.5% increase compared to 2021. Iraq loses around 100,000 dunams of agricultural land annually due to salinization and the encroachment of deserts, amid declining water resources caused by reduced flows in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, as well as the impacts of climate change and rising temperatures. Desertification poses a threat to food security and economic stability, prompting hundreds of families to migrate from affected areas. The observatory warns that the situation could worsen if comprehensive measures are not taken to combat desertification and manage water resources.
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