Water Pollution Crisis Grips Iraq as Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Dwindle
Iraq's iconic rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, once lifelines for the region, are now under severe threat due to rampant water pollution. Stricken by drought and hindered by upstream dams, these mighty waterways are suffocating under a barrage of pollutants, ranging from sewage to medical waste. With half of Iraq's population lacking access to safe drinking water, according to UN statistics, the crisis underscores a man-made disaster fueled by negligence and mismanagement by state institutions. Khaled Shamal, spokesperson for Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources, points to government institutions as the primary culprits behind the worsening pollution crisis . He highlights how Iraq's sewage network indiscriminately dumps untreated or poorly treated wastewater into the Tigris and Euphrates, exacerbating contamination levels. Furthermore, Shamal notes the alarming practice of hospitals and other facilities disposing of medical waste directly into the rivers, posing sign...