The Silent Scars: War, Militias, and the Environmental Catastrophe in Iraq
By Dr. Mohammed Alkhaldi, Spokesperson for the National Council of Iraqi
Opposition – International Office of Canada
For decades, Iraq has endured the devastating impacts of relentless conflict, political
instability, and external interference. While the human toll of these crises is widely
acknowledged, a silent catastrophe has unfolded beneath the surface, systematically
eroding the very foundations of our environment. The scars of war, coupled with the
insidious influence and actions of various militias, including those backed by Iran,
have transformed Iraq into an ecological wasteland, threatening the health,
livelihoods, and future of its people. This article aims to shed light on the profound
environmental destruction and pollution that has become an overlooked legacy of
conflict and unchecked power in our beloved homeland.
The Scars of Conflict: Environmental Destruction from War
The history of modern Iraq is inextricably linked with conflict, and each successive war
has left an indelible mark on our environment. The direct damage is often visible and
immediate. For instance, the Iran-Iraq war of the
s saw the deliberate destruction
of iconic date palm groves, with over
million palms reduced to less than half their
number today.
This loss is not merely aesthetic; it represents a profound ecological
and economic blow, impacting livelihoods and contributing to desertification.
Similarly, the marshlands of southern Iraq, a unique and vital ecosystem at the
confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, were intentionally drained in the early
s as a punitive measure against rebellious populations.
By an estimated percent of these wetlands had vanished, leading to a catastrophic loss of biodiversity
and large-scale displacement [ ]. While some efforts have been made to restore them,
the ecological balance remains fragile.
Beyond these direct assaults, military operations inherently cause widespread
environmental degradation. The conflict between
and
, for example, left
behind a trail of military waste and uncontained toxic chemicals [ ]. The tactics
employed, such as damaging oil and industrial assets, not only resulted in immense
economic losses but also unleashed significant pollution [ ]. The sheer scale of
military activity, including the movement of heavy vehicles and the construction of
temporary bases, compacts soil, disrupts natural drainage patterns, and destroys
vegetation, further accelerating desertification and land degradation.
Furthermore, the remnants of war, such as unexploded ordnance and landmines,
render vast tracts of land unusable for agriculture or grazing, posing a continuous
threat to both human and wildlife populations [ ]. The World Bank estimated in
that as much as percent of Iraq’s natural forests may have been destroyed, and .
million hectares of land rendered unusable due to landmines [ ]. This widespread
destruction of natural habitats diminishes biodiversity, exacerbates soil erosion, and
reduces the land’s capacity to support life, pushing communities further into
vulnerability.
References:https://www.icrc.org/en/document/iraqs-perfect-storm-climate-and
environmental-crisis-amid-scars-war
https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/arabvoices/conflict-pollution-lessons-iraq
https://iraq.un.org/en/-conflict-pollution-hotspots-iraq-world-bank
A Toxic Legacy: Pollution from Conflict
The environmental devastation wrought by war extends far beyond visible destruction;
it leaves behind a toxic legacy of pollution that silently poisons our land, water, and air.
Decades of conflict, particularly the
invasion and subsequent wars, have turned
Iraq into a landscape riddled with contaminated sites. The United Nations estimated
as far back as
that Iraq was already littered with several thousand such sites [ ].
One of the most insidious forms of pollution stems from military waste and
uncontained toxic chemicals.
An investigation suggested that the U.S. military alone generated some million pounds of toxic waste and abandoned it in Iraq [ ].
This includes hazardous materials such as depleted uranium, dioxins, and other
contaminants that seep into the soil and groundwater, posing long-term health risks to
pollution hotspots in governorates
the population. The World Bank identified
affected by the -conflict, with sites contaminated by oil pollution and
by hazardous chemicals, affecting an estimated . million citizens and costing
approximately $ . billion annually in damages [ ].
Oil pollution is a particularly pervasive problem. The deliberate targeting of oil
infrastructure during conflicts, as well as spills from damaged pipelines and facilities,
has contaminated vast areas of land and water. The burning of oil wells, a tactic used
in previous conflicts, releases massive plumes of black carbon and other hazardous
pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and respiratory illnesses
[ ].
Water pollution is another critical issue. Decades of conflict, coupled with
mismanagement and corruption, have severely impacted Iraq’s water resources.
Rivers, once the lifeblood of our nation, are now threatened by rampant pollution from
sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste [ ]. This contamination, exacerbated
by reduced water flows due to upstream damming and climate change, leads to high
levels of salinity and other pollutants, posing a real danger to public health. In
over people in the Basra governorate were hospitalized with symptoms
related to poor water quality [ ].
Air quality has also deteriorated significantly. Beyond the immediate impact of
explosions and fires, the long-term effects of military operations, including the burning
of waste in open-air burn pits, have released a cocktail of harmful substances into the
air. This, combined with increased dust storms due to desertification, contributes to
respiratory problems and other health issues among the population [ ].
References:https://www.icrc.org/en/document/iraqs-perfect-storm-climate-and
environmental-crisis-amid-scars-war
https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/arabvoices/conflict-pollution-lessons-iraq
https://undark.org/
monitor.com/originals/rivers/ / /ecocide-iraq// /rampant-water-pollution-threatens-iraqs-shrinking
https://www.al
The Shadow of External Influence: Iranian Militias and Environmental Degradation
The environmental crisis in Iraq is further compounded by the actions and influence of
various armed groups, including those with strong ties to Iran. While direct, explicit
documentation of Iranian militias causing widespread environmental destruction is
scarce in publicly available reports, their presence and activities contribute to the
overall instability and lack of governance that hinders environmental protection and
remediation efforts.
More broadly, Iran’s own environmental policies and water management practices
have a direct and significant impact on Iraq. Upstream damming and water diversion
projects within Iran have led to severe water shortages in Iraq, particularly affecting
the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This reduction in water flow exacerbates salinity
issues, impacts agricultural lands, and contributes to desertification in southern Iraq
[ ]. The drying up of wetlands and loss of farmland downstream in Iraq are direct
consequences of these actions, further stressing an already fragile ecosystem and
impacting the livelihoods of Iraqi citizens [ ].
Furthermore, the proliferation of unregulated oil refineries and oil fields, some of
which are operated by militias in contested lands, contributes significantly to localized
pollution. These facilities often operate with minimal transparency and environmental
safeguards, leading to flaring that releases hazardous pollutants into the air and the
dumping of waste directly into water sources and agricultural fields [ ]. While not
exclusively linked to Iranian-backed groups, the general environment of weak
governance and the presence of armed non-state actors facilitate such
environmentally damaging practices.
The political influence exerted by Iran and its allied militias within Iraq can also
impede effective environmental governance. Prioritizing political and security
agendas over environmental concerns can lead to a lack of investment in
environmental infrastructure, weak enforcement of regulations, and a general neglect
of ecological issues. This indirect but potent influence perpetuates the cycle of
environmental degradation, making it challenging for Iraq to address its pressing
ecological challenges.
References:
https://undark.org/
/ / /ecocide-iraq/
[ ]
https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/irans-war-on-environment-and
environmentalists
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Iraq’s Environment
[ ]
The environmental crisis in Iraq is a multifaceted tragedy, deeply rooted in decades of
conflict, exacerbated by political instability, and compounded by external influences.
The direct and indirect consequences of war have left our land scarred, our waters
poisoned, and our air polluted. From the deliberate destruction of vital ecosystems to
the silent spread of toxic contaminants, the environmental toll has been immense,
impacting the health, livelihoods, and future prospects of millions of Iraqis.
The actions of various armed groups, including those with foreign backing, further
complicate this dire situation. Their presence contributes to a climate of lawlessness
that undermines environmental governance, while upstream water management
practices by neighboring countries, particularly Iran, directly threaten our nation’s
most vital resource. The proliferation of unregulated industrial activities, often
operating without environmental oversight, adds another layer to this complex
problem.
As Spokesperson for the National Council of Iraqi Opposition – International Office of
Canada, I believe it is our collective responsibility to confront this environmental
catastrophe with urgency and resolve. Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive
approach that includes:
Ending the Cycle of Conflict: Sustainable environmental recovery is impossible
without lasting peace and stability. Efforts must be redoubled to resolve internal
conflicts and prevent external interference that fuels instability.
Strengthening Governance and Rule of Law: A robust legal framework and
effective enforcement mechanisms are crucial to protect our environment from
further degradation. This includes holding all perpetrators of environmental
crimes accountable, regardless of their affiliation.
International Cooperation and Support: The scale of environmental damage in
Iraq necessitates significant international assistance for remediation, capacity
building, and the implementation of sustainable environmental policies. This
includes addressing transboundary environmental issues, such as water sharing
agreements.
Investing in Sustainable Practices: Prioritizing renewable energy, sustainable
agriculture, and responsible industrial development is essential for rebuilding
our nation in an environmentally sound manner.
Raising Awareness and Empowering Communities: Educating the Iraqi
populace about environmental risks and empowering local communities to
participate in conservation and remediation efforts are vital steps towards a
healthier future.
Our environment is not merely a backdrop to our lives; it is the very foundation of our
existence. The silent suffering of Iraq’s land, water, and air demands our immediate
attention and unwavering commitment. Only by working together, with a clear vision
and decisive action, can we begin to heal the wounds inflicted upon our environment
and secure a healthy, prosperous future for all Iraqis
